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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: hide · suit · lie · bank · mine · bore · fine · lean

  1. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  2. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  6. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  7. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  8. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  14. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  19. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  20. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  21. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  22. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  23. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  24. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — gave birth
  2. fine — a penalty
  3. lean — thin
  4. suit — to fit
  5. bank — for money
  6. fine — high quality
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. bank — for money
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. suit — clothes
  11. mine — belonging to me
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. bore — to tire
  15. fine — all right
  16. bank — of a river
  17. suit — in cards
  18. mine — for digging
  19. bore — to drill
  20. mine — an explosive
  21. lean — to bend
  22. hide — animal skin
  23. lean — to rest against
  24. lie — to recline

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