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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. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  22. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  23. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  24. He is as ________________ as a wolf.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — a company
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. rush — hurry
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. mark — a grade
  6. track — to keep track
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. lie — to recline
  10. mug — to rob
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. mark — a trace
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. firm — steady
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. mug — a face
  17. lean — to bend
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. track — a song
  20. mug — a cup
  21. firm — decided
  22. track — a path
  23. lean — to rest against
  24. lean — thin

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