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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. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  2. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  3. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  4. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  7. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  10. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  14. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  20. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  21. Did you ________________ the meat?
  22. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  23. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  24. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — to pay attention
  2. bay — a part of the sea
  3. foot — the bottom
  4. perch — the fish
  5. can — to be able to
  6. mark — a trace
  7. season — in sport
  8. suit — in cards
  9. foot — a measure
  10. lie — to recline
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. can — a tin
  13. mark — a grade
  14. perch — for a bird
  15. suit — to fit
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. can — a tin
  18. suit — clothes
  19. bay — to keep at bay
  20. season — of the year
  21. season — to add flavour
  22. perch — for a bird
  23. foot — part of the body
  24. lie — an untruth

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