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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: row · roll · lie · lash · bore · face · fine · mug

  1. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  2. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  3. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  7. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  14. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  15. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  18. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  24. We're on a ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — a list
  2. row — to paddle
  3. face — to confront
  4. mug — to rob
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. face — part of the head
  7. lash — a whip stroke
  8. bore — to drill
  9. fine — high quality
  10. bore — gave birth
  11. lie — to recline
  12. mug — a face
  13. face — to point toward
  14. row — a quarrel
  15. roll — a cake
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. bore — to tire
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. mug — a cup
  22. fine — all right
  23. row — a line
  24. roll — on a roll

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