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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. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  4. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. The lid of the ________________ creaked open.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  16. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. I felt an uncomfortable tightness in my ________________.
  19. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. She laid her head on my ________________ so she could listen to my heartbeat.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. He took the fish out of the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. suit — clothes
  3. net — in sport
  4. root — the cause
  5. current — happening now
  6. root — of a plant
  7. current — of water
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. chest — a box
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. root — of a word
  16. net — after costs
  17. suit — to fit
  18. chest — of your body
  19. lash — an eyelash
  20. suit — in cards
  21. chest — of your body
  22. current — electric
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. net — for catching

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