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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. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  4. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  5. That must've been a ________________.
  6. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  9. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  10. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  13. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  14. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  15. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  16. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  17. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  20. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  21. My mare is ________________ in color.
  22. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. hide — animal skin
  2. bank — for money
  3. bay — a part of the sea
  4. hide — to keep secret
  5. rush — a thrill
  6. squash — the vegetable
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. bowl — a football final
  9. bank — of a river
  10. bear — the animal
  11. bank — for money
  12. squash — to crush
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. rush — hurry
  15. bay — to keep at bay
  16. bear — the animal
  17. bowl — a dish
  18. suit — in cards
  19. squash — the sport
  20. bowl — to roll
  21. bay — a horse colour
  22. bear — to put up with
  23. suit — to fit
  24. suit — clothes

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