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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.

Words on the sheet
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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: hide · squash · dip · firm · arm · mug · can · lie

  1. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  6. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  7. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  8. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  9. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  10. My father caught me by the ________________.
  11. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  15. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  16. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  17. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  18. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  22. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  23. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  24. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.

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

Answer key

  1. hide — to keep secret
  2. can — a tin
  3. squash — the sport
  4. mug — to rob
  5. dip — a sauce
  6. firm — decided
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. dip — to sink
  9. firm — a company
  10. arm — part of the body
  11. hide — to keep secret
  12. mug — a cup
  13. can — to be able to
  14. lie — to recline
  15. squash — the vegetable
  16. dip — to dunk
  17. firm — steady
  18. hide — animal skin
  19. can — a tin
  20. mug — a face
  21. arm — a part of something
  22. squash — to crush
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. arm — part of the body

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