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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 120 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.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. Did you ________________ the meat?
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  6. The ________________ went through the wall.
  7. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. The light ________________ burned out.
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  24. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — a measure
  2. season — to add flavour
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. nail — on a finger
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. bulb — for light
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. foot — the bottom
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. season — in sport
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. bulb — for light
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. season — of the year
  22. lie — to recline
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. nail — for a hammer

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