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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 hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  4. My mare is ________________ in color.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. What do you think of the new ________________?
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  9. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  14. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  15. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  16. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  17. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  18. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  19. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  20. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  23. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  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. lie — to recline
  2. current — of water
  3. staff — employees
  4. bay — a horse colour
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. bank — of a river
  8. bank — for money
  9. stem — to come from
  10. current — happening now
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. current — electric
  13. staff — a stick
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. stem — of a plant
  16. fan — to cool the air
  17. bank — for money
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. cabinet — a cupboard
  20. stem — a stem cell
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. staff — employees
  23. bay — a part of the sea
  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