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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 116 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. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  4. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  7. Have you found your soul ________________?
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  11. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  12. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. Did you ________________ the meat?
  16. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  17. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  24. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. lie — to recline
  4. prune — the fruit
  5. can — a tin
  6. season — of the year
  7. mate — a partner
  8. season — in sport
  9. mark — a trace
  10. cue — for pool
  11. cue — a hint
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. mark — a grade
  15. season — to add flavour
  16. calf — of the leg
  17. prune — to trim
  18. can — to be able to
  19. can — a tin
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. mate — a friend
  22. cue — a signal
  23. prune — to trim
  24. mate — to breed

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