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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. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  6. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  7. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  11. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  12. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  13. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  20. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  21. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  22. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  23. Have you found your soul ________________?
  24. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. race — humankind
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. lie — to recline
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. bay — a part of the sea
  6. face — to point toward
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. pass — a permit
  10. perch — for a bird
  11. mate — to breed
  12. perch — the fish
  13. pit — in a race
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. race — the arms race
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. pit — a hole
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. race — a contest
  20. mate — a friend
  21. face — part of the head
  22. face — to confront
  23. mate — a partner
  24. pit — a fruit stone

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