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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 124 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 spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  3. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  4. What do you think of the new ________________?
  5. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  8. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  16. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  23. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  24. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. bear — to put up with
  3. lean — to rest against
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. bear — the animal
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. lean — to bend
  8. bear — the animal
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. lash — to lash out
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. plane — a tool
  15. lean — thin
  16. pitch — a sports field
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. fan — to cool the air
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. lash — a whip stroke
  21. lie — to recline
  22. pitch — completely
  23. pitch — a sales talk
  24. fan — a supporter

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