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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. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  3. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  22. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. suit — clothes
  5. jam — to spread on bread
  6. lie — to recline
  7. hide — animal skin
  8. suit — to fit
  9. jam — a tight spot
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. hide — to keep secret
  12. can — a tin
  13. mark — a trace
  14. can — a tin
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. mark — a grade
  18. patient — calm and waiting
  19. can — to be able to
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. drill — the tool
  22. drill — a practice
  23. suit — in cards
  24. drill — army training

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