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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.

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: season · cap · lash · lie · rock · trunk · bear · mark

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  3. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  11. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  12. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. Did you ________________ the meat?
  15. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  16. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  17. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  18. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  19. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  20. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. bear — the animal
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. lash — an eyelash
  5. mark — a grade
  6. season — in sport
  7. lie — to recline
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. bear — to put up with
  11. trunk — of a tree
  12. season — of the year
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. season — to add flavour
  15. cap — of ice
  16. cap — a lid
  17. trunk — of an elephant
  18. bear — the animal
  19. trunk — of a car
  20. cap — a hat
  21. rock — music
  22. mark — a trace
  23. lash — to lash out
  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