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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 120 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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  3. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  4. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  8. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  9. My mare is ________________ in color.
  10. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  11. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  16. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  20. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  21. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. firm — steady
  3. bowl — a football final
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. lie — to recline
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. firm — decided
  8. rest — what's left
  9. bay — a horse colour
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. bowl — a dish
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. mouse — for a computer
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. rest — what's left
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. bowl — to roll
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. rest — a break
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. firm — a company
  24. mouse — the animal

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