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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: bound · rock · can · lash · craft · lie · pitch · bear

  1. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  2. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  5. That was ________________ to happen.
  6. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  7. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  16. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  17. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  24. A black ________________ roamed the forest.

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

Answer key

  1. craft — a handicraft
  2. bound — obliged
  3. rock — a stone
  4. rock — music
  5. bound — certain
  6. pitch — a sales talk
  7. pitch — completely
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. lie — to recline
  12. can — a tin
  13. can — to be able to
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. bear — the animal
  16. craft — a skill
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. pitch — a sports field
  20. can — a tin
  21. craft — boats
  22. bound — tied together
  23. bear — to put up with
  24. bear — the animal

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