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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. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  14. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  15. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. content — the amount
  3. key — the most important part
  4. content — videos and posts
  5. suit — clothes
  6. mark — a grade
  7. suit — to fit
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. key — in music
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. track — to keep track
  12. mark — a trace
  13. bowl — a dish
  14. track — a path
  15. track — a song
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. content — happy
  18. key — for a lock
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. bowl — a football final
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. suit — in cards
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. bowl — to roll

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