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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. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  11. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  12. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  17. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  18. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  19. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. When are we going to ________________?
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. suit — in cards
  4. press — newspapers
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. press — a publisher
  8. suit — to fit
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. row — to paddle
  11. land — ground
  12. jam — in traffic
  13. bulb — for light
  14. press — to push
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. leaves — of a tree
  17. land — a country
  18. row — a quarrel
  19. jam — to spread on bread
  20. lie — to recline
  21. land — to come down
  22. bulb — for light
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. row — a line

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