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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. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. He works in a ________________ mill.
  5. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. David sat on the ________________.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  10. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. She's very handy with a ________________.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  18. That was a fun ________________.
  19. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  24. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. saw — the tool
  5. game — a kind of play
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. swing — to play on
  8. mug — a face
  9. game — wild animals
  10. swing — music
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. mug — to rob
  13. saw — the tool
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. lie — to recline
  16. mug — a cup
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. game — a match
  19. root — of a word
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. root — the cause
  22. pass — a permit
  23. swing — in golf
  24. root — of a plant

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