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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 116 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: prune · rock · last · lie · cabinet · wave · rash · hide

  1. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  7. False peace will not ________________.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. Don't do anything ________________.
  10. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  14. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  17. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  20. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  21. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  22. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  23. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  24. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — the fruit
  2. rash — a series
  3. last — finally
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. rock — music
  6. wave — of the sea
  7. last — to go on
  8. rock — a stone
  9. rash — hasty
  10. rash — on the skin
  11. lie — to recline
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. hide — animal skin
  14. last — final
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. wave — with your hand
  17. prune — to trim
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. hide — to keep secret
  20. cabinet — a cupboard
  21. prune — to trim
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. wave — a sudden rise

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