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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. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  7. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  8. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  9. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. There's no middle ________________.
  12. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  13. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. The light ________________ burned out.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. charge — electricity
  4. bulb — for light
  5. lie — to recline
  6. charge — in control
  7. ground — crushed
  8. ground — the earth
  9. face — to point toward
  10. pass — a permit
  11. ground — a position
  12. face — to confront
  13. face — part of the head
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. can — a tin
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. bulb — for light
  19. can — a tin
  20. charge — a price
  21. bay — a part of the sea
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. can — to be able to
  24. bulb — of a plant

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