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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
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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: spell · lash · press · rock · season · lie · cap · coach

  1. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. Did you ________________ the button?
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  10. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  11. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  12. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  13. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  16. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  17. Did you ________________ the meat?
  18. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  19. Have you met the new head ________________?
  20. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  21. How do you ________________ your surname?
  22. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  23. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  24. The spa offers ________________ extensions.

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

Answer key

  1. cap — a hat
  2. rock — a stone
  3. press — newspapers
  4. press — a publisher
  5. rock — music
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. press — to push
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. coach — pulled by horses
  10. lash — to lash out
  11. season — in sport
  12. cap — of ice
  13. lie — to recline
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. season — of the year
  17. season — to add flavour
  18. spell — magic
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. cap — a lid
  21. spell — letters
  22. spell — a short time
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. lash — an eyelash

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