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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. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  4. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. There's no middle ________________.
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. My mare is ________________ in color.
  10. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  11. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  14. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  15. Don't do anything ________________.
  16. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  22. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. shower — a meteor shower
  4. shower — rain
  5. lie — to recline
  6. ground — a position
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. bound — certain
  9. bay — a horse colour
  10. ground — the earth
  11. object — an aim
  12. object — to protest
  13. object — a thing
  14. rash — on the skin
  15. rash — hasty
  16. shower — to wash
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. ground — crushed
  22. bound — obliged
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. bound — tied together

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