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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 120 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.

Make a worksheet

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: net · hide · stem · squash · lie · safe · suit · patient

  1. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  3. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  8. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  12. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  13. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  14. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  19. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  20. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  21. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  22. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  23. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  24. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. net — after costs
  3. hide — to keep secret
  4. suit — clothes
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. suit — in cards
  7. stem — a stem cell
  8. net — in sport
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. patient — a sick person
  12. net — for catching
  13. squash — the sport
  14. stem — to come from
  15. suit — to fit
  16. stem — of a plant
  17. lie — to recline
  18. squash — to crush
  19. hide — animal skin
  20. patient — a sick person
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. squash — the vegetable
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. patient — calm and waiting

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