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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: hand · fan · lie · nail · fine · deal · bowl · stick

  1. The ________________ went through the wall.
  2. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  3. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  8. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  11. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  12. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  15. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  16. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  17. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  18. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  21. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. hand — help
  3. hand — part of the body
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. hand — in cards
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. fan — to cool the air
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. deal — a big deal
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. bowl — a dish
  15. deal — to handle
  16. fine — high quality
  17. stick — to attach or keep to
  18. bowl — a football final
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. bowl — to roll
  21. nail — on a finger
  22. fine — all right
  23. lie — to recline
  24. deal — an agreement

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