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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: hide · face · bear · date · fine · rush · suit · mine

  1. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  3. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  4. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  5. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  11. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  15. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  16. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  17. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  20. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  21. Have you settled on a ________________?
  22. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — a penalty
  2. hide — animal skin
  3. date — on the calendar
  4. face — part of the head
  5. date — the fruit
  6. suit — clothes
  7. mine — belonging to me
  8. rush — hurry
  9. suit — in cards
  10. face — to confront
  11. bear — the animal
  12. fine — all right
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. face — to point toward
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. mine — an explosive
  17. bear — to put up with
  18. suit — to fit
  19. mine — for digging
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. date — on the calendar
  22. bear — the animal
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. fine — high quality

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