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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. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  10. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. Have you found your soul ________________?
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  19. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  23. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. mark — a trace
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. wax — in the ear
  5. mug — to rob
  6. lash — to lash out
  7. mark — a grade
  8. mug — a cup
  9. mate — a friend
  10. mate — to breed
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. mug — a face
  13. mate — a partner
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. deal — to handle
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. lash — an eyelash
  19. wax — to grow
  20. lie — to recline
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. wax — for sculpting
  23. deal — a big deal
  24. leaves — lets stay

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