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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.

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: press · lash · lie · wound · current · suit · stick · season

  1. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. Did you ________________ the meat?
  10. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  11. Did you ________________ the button?
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  17. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  18. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  19. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. suit — to fit
  5. press — newspapers
  6. suit — clothes
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. season — in sport
  9. season — to add flavour
  10. wound — an injury
  11. press — to push
  12. suit — in cards
  13. lash — a whip stroke
  14. current — happening now
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. wound — an injury
  17. press — a publisher
  18. stick — to attach or keep to
  19. wound — past of 'wind'
  20. current — electric
  21. season — of the year
  22. lie — to recline
  23. lash — an eyelash
  24. current — of water

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