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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. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. When are we going to ________________?
  5. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  6. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  7. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. We're on a ________________ here.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  15. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  20. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. fine — a penalty
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. land — to come down
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. stick — to attach or keep to
  7. land — ground
  8. bank — of a river
  9. roll — a cake
  10. can — to be able to
  11. bank — for money
  12. roll — on a roll
  13. can — a tin
  14. fine — high quality
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. land — a country
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. leaves — of a tree
  20. roll — a list
  21. fine — all right
  22. can — a tin
  23. lie — to recline
  24. bank — for money

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