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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. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  2. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  5. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  6. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  7. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  8. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  9. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  14. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  15. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  21. The ________________ went through the wall.
  22. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  23. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  24. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?

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

Answer key

  1. hide — animal skin
  2. rest — what's left
  3. can — a tin
  4. rush — to hurry
  5. stem — of a plant
  6. stem — to come from
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. nail — on a finger
  9. rest — what's left
  10. can — to be able to
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. rest — a break
  14. hide — to keep secret
  15. stem — a stem cell
  16. rush — hurry
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. can — a tin
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. stick — to attach or keep to
  23. fan — to cool the air
  24. hide — to keep secret

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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