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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 120 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.

Make a worksheet

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: rush · hide · lie · stick · coach · bank · leaves · charge

  1. That must've been a ________________.
  2. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  3. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  5. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  6. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  7. The tickets are free of ________________.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  10. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  11. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  14. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. Have you met the new head ________________?
  19. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rush — a thrill
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. stick — to attach or keep to
  5. charge — in control
  6. hide — to keep secret
  7. charge — a price
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. charge — electricity
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. bank — of a river
  14. bank — for money
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. hide — animal skin
  17. lie — to recline
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. leaves — of a tree
  20. bank — for money
  21. hide — to keep secret
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. coach — pulled by horses
  24. rush — hurry

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