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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 soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  2. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  3. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  11. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  19. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. drill — army training
  2. drill — the tool
  3. drill — a practice
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. hide — animal skin
  6. lie — to recline
  7. wax — to grow
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. wax — in the ear
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. wax — for sculpting
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. mouse — the animal

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