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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. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  4. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  5. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  8. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  11. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  12. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  16. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  19. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  20. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  21. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  24. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. chip — in a computer
  4. bore — to tire
  5. content — videos and posts
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. bore — gave birth
  8. racket — for tennis
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. content — happy
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. chip — to eat
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. calf — of the leg
  16. lie — to recline
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. content — the amount
  19. racket — a loud noise
  20. chip — for betting
  21. bore — to drill
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. racket — for tennis
  24. lash — to lash out

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