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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: roll · wave · lie · mark · suit · pass · rash · spell

  1. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  4. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  5. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  6. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  7. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  8. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  9. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. How do you ________________ your surname?
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. We're on a ________________ here.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  24. Don't do anything ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. rash — a series
  3. wave — of the sea
  4. lie — to recline
  5. spell — magic
  6. wave — with your hand
  7. roll — a cake
  8. wave — a sudden rise
  9. rash — on the skin
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. mark — a grade
  12. roll — a list
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. mark — a trace
  16. spell — letters
  17. suit — to fit
  18. roll — on a roll
  19. pass — a permit
  20. suit — in cards
  21. suit — clothes
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. spell — a short time
  24. rash — hasty

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