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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. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  8. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  9. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  10. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  15. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. My father caught me by the ________________.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  24. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.

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

Answer key

  1. wind — moving air
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. deal — to handle
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. arm — a part of something
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. wind — to turn a key
  8. lean — thin
  9. lie — to recline
  10. lean — to rest against
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. bank — for money
  15. wind — moving air
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. arm — part of the body
  19. bank — for money
  20. bank — of a river
  21. deal — an agreement
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. lean — to bend
  24. arm — part of the body

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