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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 120 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 office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  10. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  11. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  12. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  15. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. staff — employees
  2. suit — in cards
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. can — a tin
  5. plane — a tool
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. mug — to rob
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. clip — to cut
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. clip — a video
  12. staff — employees
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. clip — for paper
  15. staff — a stick
  16. mug — a face
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. suit — to fit
  19. mug — a cup
  20. plane — in geometry
  21. can — a tin
  22. can — to be able to
  23. lie — to recline
  24. suit — clothes

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