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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: leaves · bear · current · lie · roll · net · dip · lash

  1. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  3. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. We're on a ________________ here.
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  13. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  17. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  22. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. bear — the animal
  3. dip — to sink
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. roll — on a roll
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. bear — the animal
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. dip — a sauce
  11. current — happening now
  12. net — for catching
  13. net — in sport
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. current — of water
  16. bear — to put up with
  17. roll — a cake
  18. current — electric
  19. roll — a list
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. dip — to dunk
  22. net — after costs
  23. lie — to recline
  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