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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 116 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. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  4. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  15. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  16. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  19. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  20. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. That was ________________ to happen.
  23. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. can — a tin
  3. squash — the sport
  4. present — there
  5. rock — a stone
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. mark — a trace
  8. bound — obliged
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. can — to be able to
  11. can — a tin
  12. squash — the vegetable
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. squash — to crush
  15. object — to protest
  16. bound — tied together
  17. rock — music
  18. object — a thing
  19. present — a gift
  20. mark — a grade
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. bound — certain
  23. present — the time now
  24. object — an aim

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