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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. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  3. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  6. Did you ________________ the meat?
  7. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  8. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  9. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. What do you think of the new ________________?
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  21. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  22. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. ________________ games are popular in Germany.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. season — in sport
  3. fine — all right
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. season — to add flavour
  7. board — a committee
  8. fan — to cool the air
  9. cap — of ice
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. fine — high quality
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. season — of the year
  14. plane — a tool
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. cap — a hat
  21. cap — a lid
  22. board — to get on
  23. lie — to recline
  24. board — a flat piece

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