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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. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  9. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  16. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  21. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. bore — gave birth
  3. suit — to fit
  4. nail — on a finger
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. bore — to drill
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. suit — in cards
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. deal — to handle
  14. suit — clothes
  15. toast — a drink to someone
  16. bore — to tire
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. toast — bread
  20. plane — in geometry
  21. deal — an agreement
  22. lie — to recline
  23. plane — a tool
  24. plane — an aircraft

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