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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. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  6. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  7. Did you ________________ the meat?
  8. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  11. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  14. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  21. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. cap — a hat
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. nail — on a finger
  6. cap — of ice
  7. season — to add flavour
  8. charge — in control
  9. can — to be able to
  10. cap — a lid
  11. pound — for dogs
  12. can — a tin
  13. season — in sport
  14. bass — the fish
  15. charge — electricity
  16. season — of the year
  17. can — a tin
  18. pound — to hit hard
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. pound — a weight
  21. bass — the instrument
  22. charge — a price
  23. lie — to recline
  24. bass — low music

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