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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: dip · perch · object · leaves · fine · can · bear · lie

  1. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  9. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  10. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  11. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  23. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  24. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. bear — the animal
  3. can — to be able to
  4. fine — all right
  5. can — a tin
  6. perch — the fish
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. dip — a sauce
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. perch — for a bird
  11. object — an aim
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. fine — a penalty
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. dip — to sink
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. bear — the animal
  18. can — a tin
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. object — a thing
  21. fine — high quality
  22. object — to protest
  23. bear — to put up with
  24. dip — to dunk

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