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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 hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  7. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  8. What do you think of the new ________________?
  9. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  10. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  13. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  14. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  15. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  16. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  17. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  18. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. spring — of water
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. bear — the animal
  5. can — a tin
  6. bank — for money
  7. spring — a coil
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. bank — of a river
  10. charge — electricity
  11. can — to be able to
  12. bank — for money
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. cabinet — a cupboard
  15. charge — in control
  16. spring — the season
  17. bear — the animal
  18. object — to protest
  19. can — a tin
  20. object — a thing
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. charge — a price
  23. bear — to put up with
  24. object — an aim

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