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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.

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: perch · suit · lie · season · leaves · mug · file · lash

  1. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  7. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. Did you ________________ the meat?
  11. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  24. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. season — in sport
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. suit — in cards
  6. perch — the fish
  7. lash — a whip stroke
  8. mug — a face
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. season — to add flavour
  11. file — a tool
  12. suit — to fit
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. file — a line of people
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. file — a document
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. mug — a cup
  20. mug — to rob
  21. lie — to recline
  22. suit — clothes
  23. season — of the year
  24. perch — for a bird

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