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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. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  2. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  5. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. The ________________ went through the wall.
  9. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  10. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  18. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  21. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  22. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. stem — a stem cell
  3. suit — clothes
  4. mine — belonging to me
  5. mine — an explosive
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. lie — to recline
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. pitch — completely
  10. pit — a hole
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. nail — on a finger
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. suit — to fit
  15. pitch — a sports field
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. pit — a fruit stone
  18. stem — of a plant
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. stem — to come from
  21. mine — for digging
  22. pitch — a sales talk
  23. suit — in cards
  24. pit — in a race

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