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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.

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: object · mug · cabinet · drill · lie · leaves · bowl · current

  1. What do you think of the new ________________?
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  4. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  14. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  17. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  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. cabinet — ministers
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. bowl — to roll
  4. lie — to recline
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. bowl — a dish
  8. mug — a face
  9. object — an aim
  10. current — happening now
  11. drill — the tool
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. object — to protest
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. drill — a practice
  17. drill — army training
  18. mug — a cup
  19. mug — to rob
  20. current — of water
  21. object — a thing
  22. current — electric
  23. bowl — a football final
  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