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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
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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: mug · stand · suit · hide · saw · temple · cap · lie

  1. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. He works in a ________________ mill.
  3. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  6. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  7. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  10. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. She's very handy with a ________________.
  14. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  23. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. saw — the tool
  3. cap — of ice
  4. suit — clothes
  5. cap — a lid
  6. cap — a hat
  7. temple — side of the head
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. hide — to keep secret
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. mug — to rob
  13. saw — the tool
  14. mug — a face
  15. lie — to recline
  16. stand — for spectators
  17. suit — to fit
  18. hide — animal skin
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. stand — to bear
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. mug — a cup
  24. suit — in cards

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