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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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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: coach · suit · can · bulb · face · lie · fork · saw

  1. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  2. Have you met the new head ________________?
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. He works in a ________________ mill.
  11. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  12. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. She's very handy with a ________________.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  18. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  19. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  22. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. The light ________________ burned out.

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

Answer key

  1. fork — in a road
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. suit — clothes
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. can — a tin
  7. face — to point toward
  8. can — a tin
  9. suit — in cards
  10. saw — the tool
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. fork — a garden tool
  13. bulb — for light
  14. suit — to fit
  15. saw — the tool
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. coach — pulled by horses
  18. face — to confront
  19. face — part of the head
  20. lie — to recline
  21. saw — past of 'see'
  22. fork — to eat with
  23. can — to be able to
  24. bulb — for light

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