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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: lie · bulb · pass · pit · lean · wake · ground · leaves

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  5. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  8. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  11. There's no middle ________________.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  14. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  15. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  16. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. ground — the earth
  3. bulb — for light
  4. pit — in a race
  5. wake — a trail
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. pit — a hole
  8. wake — to stop sleeping
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. lean — to bend
  11. ground — a position
  12. bulb — for light
  13. lean — to rest against
  14. wake — before a funeral
  15. pit — a fruit stone
  16. ground — crushed
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. pass — a permit
  20. lean — thin
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. lie — to recline
  24. lie — an untruth

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