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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: fine · rush · rest · bowl · foot · lie · scale · trunk

  1. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  4. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  5. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  11. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  12. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  15. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  16. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  17. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  21. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. rest — what's left
  4. bowl — to roll
  5. foot — part of the body
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. bowl — a football final
  8. fine — all right
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. scale — in music
  11. trunk — of an elephant
  12. fine — a penalty
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. rest — a break
  15. bowl — a dish
  16. scale — size or range
  17. rest — what's left
  18. rush — hurry
  19. fine — high quality
  20. scale — for weighing
  21. trunk — of a car
  22. lie — to recline
  23. trunk — of a tree
  24. foot — a measure

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