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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. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  4. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  5. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  6. When are we going to ________________?
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. key — in music
  3. lean — to bend
  4. mug — a face
  5. track — a path
  6. land — to come down
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. mug — to rob
  9. land — a country
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. track — a song
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. track — to keep track
  14. mark — a grade
  15. lean — to rest against
  16. pass — a permit
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. key — for a lock
  19. key — the most important part
  20. mug — a cup
  21. mark — a trace
  22. land — ground
  23. lean — thin
  24. pass — to succeed

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