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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. Where did you ________________ them?
  2. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  3. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  10. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  11. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  14. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  15. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  18. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  21. What do you think of the new ________________?
  22. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  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. mug — to rob
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. lie — to recline
  4. root — of a word
  5. hide — animal skin
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. prune — the fruit
  8. mug — a cup
  9. cabinet — a cupboard
  10. chip — to eat
  11. hide — to keep secret
  12. mug — a face
  13. chip — for betting
  14. prune — to trim
  15. chip — in a computer
  16. suit — to fit
  17. prune — to trim
  18. root — the cause
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. root — of a plant
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. suit — in cards
  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