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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: track · pitcher · bear · pitch · bore · saw · suit · lie

  1. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. She's very handy with a ________________.
  4. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  9. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  10. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  11. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  12. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  13. He is an ace ________________.
  14. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  15. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  16. He works in a ________________ mill.
  17. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  18. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  19. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  20. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  21. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  24. He keeps ________________ of his days.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. suit — clothes
  3. saw — the tool
  4. track — a song
  5. suit — to fit
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. lie — to recline
  8. saw — past of 'see'
  9. track — a path
  10. pitch — a sports field
  11. bore — to drill
  12. pitch — completely
  13. pitcher — in baseball
  14. bore — gave birth
  15. bear — the animal
  16. saw — the tool
  17. bear — the animal
  18. pitch — a sales talk
  19. pitcher — a jug
  20. bore — to tire
  21. bear — to put up with
  22. suit — in cards
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. track — to keep track

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