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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. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  2. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  3. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  4. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  10. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  11. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  14. We're almost out of ________________.
  15. You don't need to ________________ round.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  18. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  19. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  20. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  21. Have you settled on a ________________?
  22. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  23. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — a company
  2. scale — in music
  3. pit — in a race
  4. lie — to recline
  5. suit — to fit
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. lean — to rest against
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. lean — to bend
  10. pit — a fruit stone
  11. date — on the calendar
  12. suit — clothes
  13. date — the fruit
  14. pop — soda
  15. pop — to visit
  16. suit — in cards
  17. firm — decided
  18. pop — music
  19. scale — size or range
  20. scale — for weighing
  21. date — on the calendar
  22. lean — thin
  23. pit — a hole
  24. firm — steady

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