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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 116 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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  5. That must've been a ________________.
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. There's no middle ________________.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  20. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  21. Where did you ________________ them?
  22. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. mug — a cup
  3. suit — to fit
  4. spring — the season
  5. rush — a thrill
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. ground — a position
  12. lie — to recline
  13. ground — the earth
  14. suit — clothes
  15. fine — high quality
  16. rush — hurry
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. suit — in cards
  19. fine — all right
  20. spring — of water
  21. mug — to rob
  22. ground — crushed
  23. mug — a face
  24. spring — a coil

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