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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 116 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. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  5. That was ________________ to happen.
  6. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. She's very handy with a ________________.
  9. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  12. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  13. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  14. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  15. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  16. He works in a ________________ mill.
  17. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  18. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. suit — clothes
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. rest — what's left
  5. bound — certain
  6. hide — to keep secret
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. saw — the tool
  9. ball — a great time
  10. bound — obliged
  11. rest — what's left
  12. rest — a break
  13. bound — tied together
  14. object — to protest
  15. ball — a round shape
  16. saw — the tool
  17. object — a thing
  18. saw — past of 'see'
  19. suit — in cards
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. ball — a dance
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. hide — animal skin
  24. object — an aim

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