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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  3. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  4. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  5. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  6. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  23. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  24. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. bowl — a dish
  3. bowl — a football final
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. lean — to bend
  6. rush — to hurry
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. pass — a permit
  9. lean — to rest against
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. bowl — to roll
  20. rush — hurry
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. lean — thin
  23. bay — a part of the sea
  24. lie — to recline

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