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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 sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  3. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  4. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  5. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  6. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  7. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  8. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  9. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. We're almost out of ________________.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  16. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  19. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. My mare is ________________ in color.
  22. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  23. You don't need to ________________ round.
  24. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. bay — a part of the sea
  3. perch — the fish
  4. bore — to drill
  5. file — a document
  6. file — a tool
  7. lash — an eyelash
  8. lash — to lash out
  9. pop — music
  10. suit — clothes
  11. pop — soda
  12. lie — to recline
  13. file — a line of people
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. perch — for a bird
  17. suit — in cards
  18. bay — to keep at bay
  19. bore — to tire
  20. suit — to fit
  21. bay — a horse colour
  22. perch — for a bird
  23. pop — to visit
  24. bore — gave birth

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