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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. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  6. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  7. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  12. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  13. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  14. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  15. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  19. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  20. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  21. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  22. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  23. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  24. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. wave — a sudden rise
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. can — a tin
  5. wave — of the sea
  6. present — there
  7. cap — of ice
  8. can — a tin
  9. cap — a lid
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. bass — the instrument
  12. cap — a hat
  13. pitch — a sports field
  14. bass — low music
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. can — to be able to
  18. pitch — a sales talk
  19. present — a gift
  20. bass — the fish
  21. wave — with your hand
  22. pitch — completely
  23. bay — a part of the sea
  24. present — the time now

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