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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.

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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: bass · lie · pit · leaves · calf · suit · bay · stem

  1. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  5. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  8. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  17. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  18. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  19. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  20. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. My mare is ________________ in color.
  23. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. bass — the fish
  5. stem — to come from
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. bass — low music
  8. bay — a part of the sea
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. suit — clothes
  11. lie — to recline
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. stem — a stem cell
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. suit — in cards
  16. pit — a fruit stone
  17. stem — of a plant
  18. pit — in a race
  19. bass — the instrument
  20. calf — of the leg
  21. suit — to fit
  22. bay — a horse colour
  23. pit — a hole
  24. lie — an untruth

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