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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. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  6. There's no middle ________________.
  7. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  8. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  15. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  16. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  17. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  20. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  23. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  24. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — crushed
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. bulb — for light
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. ground — a position
  7. ground — the earth
  8. bore — to tire
  9. bulb — for light
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. lie — to recline
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. branch — a division
  16. stick — to attach or keep to
  17. branch — of a bank
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. bore — to drill
  20. lash — a whip stroke
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. branch — of a tree
  23. bore — gave birth
  24. lash — to lash out

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