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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. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  2. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  3. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  6. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  7. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  11. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  12. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  13. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  14. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  15. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  16. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  17. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  18. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  21. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  22. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  23. The King held a masked ________________.
  24. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — lets stay
  2. fork — to eat with
  3. fork — in a road
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. ball — a round shape
  6. bank — for money
  7. bowl — a football final
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. bowl — a dish
  11. bank — of a river
  12. ball — a great time
  13. mark — a trace
  14. lie — to recline
  15. pitch — a sports field
  16. bank — for money
  17. bowl — to roll
  18. pitch — a sales talk
  19. mark — a grade
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. pitch — completely
  22. fork — a garden tool
  23. ball — a dance
  24. mark — to pay attention

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