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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've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  5. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  6. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  7. How do you ________________ your surname?
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. Have you met the new head ________________?
  13. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  14. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  15. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  18. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. Have you found your soul ________________?
  21. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  22. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  23. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  24. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — a short time
  2. suit — in cards
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. fine — high quality
  5. mate — to breed
  6. snap — to speak sharply
  7. spell — letters
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. lie — to recline
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. suit — clothes
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. snap — to click
  14. fine — all right
  15. snap — to snap out of it
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. spell — magic
  19. suit — to fit
  20. mate — a partner
  21. coach — pulled by horses
  22. cabinet — a cupboard
  23. mate — a friend
  24. cabinet — ministers

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