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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. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  3. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  4. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  12. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  13. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  14. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  15. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  18. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  19. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  20. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. My mare is ________________ in color.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. perch — the fish
  3. bore — gave birth
  4. lie — to recline
  5. root — the cause
  6. suit — to fit
  7. root — of a word
  8. bulb — for light
  9. squash — the vegetable
  10. suit — in cards
  11. bore — to tire
  12. squash — the sport
  13. root — of a plant
  14. perch — for a bird
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. bulb — for light
  17. bore — to drill
  18. bay — to keep at bay
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. squash — to crush
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. bay — a horse colour
  23. suit — clothes
  24. bay — a part of the sea

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