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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. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  2. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  6. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  7. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  8. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  9. The ________________ went through the wall.
  10. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  11. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  12. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  13. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  14. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  15. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  16. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  17. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  18. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  19. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a cup
  2. shower — a meteor shower
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. shower — to wash
  6. nail — on a finger
  7. cap — a lid
  8. lie — to recline
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. shower — rain
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. squash — the sport
  13. firm — decided
  14. firm — a company
  15. squash — the vegetable
  16. cap — a hat
  17. squash — to crush
  18. firm — steady
  19. cap — of ice
  20. mug — a face
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. mug — to rob

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