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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.

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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. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  16. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  17. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  23. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  24. He took the fish out of the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. mug — a cup
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. lie — to recline
  6. net — in sport
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. mug — to rob
  10. mouse — for a computer
  11. mug — a face
  12. plane — in geometry
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. ball — a great time
  16. bank — for money
  17. net — after costs
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. plane — a tool
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. ball — a dance
  22. ball — a round shape
  23. bank — of a river
  24. net — for catching

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