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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. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  2. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  5. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  6. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  10. That was ________________ to happen.
  11. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  17. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  18. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. hide — animal skin
  2. rock — music
  3. bound — tied together
  4. hide — to keep secret
  5. foot — a measure
  6. bowl — a football final
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. rock — a stone
  9. fine — a penalty
  10. bound — certain
  11. foot — part of the body
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. suit — in cards
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. suit — clothes
  16. foot — the bottom
  17. fine — all right
  18. bowl — to roll
  19. fine — high quality
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. bound — obliged
  24. suit — to fit

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