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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  3. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. What do you think of the new ________________?
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  9. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  10. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  11. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. patient — calm and waiting
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. root — of a word
  9. root — the cause
  10. leaves — to go away
  11. bank — of a river
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. patient — a sick person
  15. mark — a trace
  16. bulb — for light
  17. bank — for money
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. root — of a plant
  20. bulb — for light
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. mark — a grade
  23. lie — to recline
  24. bank — for money

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com