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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 hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  6. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  10. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  14. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  15. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  16. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  17. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. The ________________ change colour in autumn.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. mark — to pay attention
  3. mark — a grade
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. scale — for weighing
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. suit — to fit
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. lash — to lash out
  10. scale — in music
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. suit — in cards
  13. stick — to attach or keep to
  14. bowl — to roll
  15. lash — an eyelash
  16. lash — a whip stroke
  17. bowl — a dish
  18. lie — to recline
  19. bowl — a football final
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. scale — size or range
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. suit — clothes
  24. leaves — of a tree

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