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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: suit · lie · cabinet · wind · bulb · hide · mate · pass

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  7. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  15. What do you think of the new ________________?
  16. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. Have you found your soul ________________?
  20. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  21. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. suit — in cards
  5. pass — a permit
  6. wind — moving air
  7. wind — moving air
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. mate — to breed
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. suit — to fit
  12. bulb — for light
  13. bulb — for light
  14. hide — animal skin
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. mate — a partner
  20. cabinet — a cupboard
  21. mate — a friend
  22. lie — to recline
  23. wind — to turn a key
  24. suit — clothes

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