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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. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. She's very handy with a ________________.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. He works in a ________________ mill.
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  9. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  15. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  16. David sat on the ________________.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  20. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  23. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. bowl — a dish
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. saw — the tool
  5. suit — to fit
  6. saw — the tool
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. bowl — a football final
  9. face — to confront
  10. can — a tin
  11. lie — to recline
  12. swing — music
  13. can — to be able to
  14. staff — a stick
  15. face — to point toward
  16. swing — to play on
  17. staff — employees
  18. suit — in cards
  19. staff — employees
  20. swing — in golf
  21. can — a tin
  22. bowl — to roll
  23. face — part of the head
  24. suit — clothes

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