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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. She's very handy with a ________________.
  3. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  4. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  5. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. He works in a ________________ mill.
  8. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  9. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  10. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  13. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  14. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  15. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  16. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  17. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  18. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  19. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  20. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  21. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  22. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  23. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  24. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. saw — the tool
  3. root — of a plant
  4. hide — to keep secret
  5. chip — to eat
  6. deal — to handle
  7. saw — the tool
  8. wake — a trail
  9. chip — in a computer
  10. deal — a big deal
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. root — the cause
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. rush — hurry
  15. deal — an agreement
  16. lie — to recline
  17. chip — for betting
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. rush — to hurry
  20. wake — to stop sleeping
  21. hide — animal skin
  22. saw — past of 'see'
  23. wake — before a funeral
  24. root — of a word

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