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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. False peace will not ________________.
  2. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  6. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  7. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  23. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  24. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.

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

Answer key

  1. last — to go on
  2. fine — a penalty
  3. face — part of the head
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. fine — all right
  6. object — an aim
  7. face — to point toward
  8. fine — high quality
  9. last — final
  10. bulb — for light
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. object — to protest
  13. suit — in cards
  14. bulb — for light
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. suit — clothes
  17. lie — to recline
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. suit — to fit
  22. last — finally
  23. face — to confront
  24. object — a thing

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