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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
468
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: capital · lean · lie · ruler · suit · bank · nail · net

  1. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  3. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  6. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. The ________________ went through the wall.
  9. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  10. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  19. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  22. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. capital — a big letter
  3. lean — to rest against
  4. bank — for money
  5. lean — thin
  6. net — in sport
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. net — for catching
  11. lie — to recline
  12. bank — of a river
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. capital — money
  15. suit — in cards
  16. bank — for money
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. net — after costs
  19. nail — on a finger
  20. suit — clothes
  21. capital — a city
  22. lean — to bend
  23. suit — to fit
  24. ruler — for measuring

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