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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. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  4. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  7. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  8. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. perch — the fish
  5. can — a tin
  6. object — an aim
  7. bore — gave birth
  8. lie — to recline
  9. rock — music
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. rush — to hurry
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. object — a thing
  14. rock — a stone
  15. mark — a grade
  16. bore — to tire
  17. can — a tin
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. rush — hurry
  21. mark — a trace
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. bore — to drill
  24. object — to protest

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