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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. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  2. I can't ________________ this cold.
  3. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  17. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  18. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  19. The ________________ took off on time.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  22. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  23. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. kick — with a leg
  2. stand — to bear
  3. stand — for spectators
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. prune — to trim
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. kick — a thrill
  9. cue — a hint
  10. mug — a face
  11. lie — to recline
  12. cue — for pool
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. mug — to rob
  16. kick — in football
  17. cue — a signal
  18. prune — to trim
  19. plane — an aircraft
  20. plane — a tool
  21. prune — the fruit
  22. mug — a cup
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. safe — a strongbox

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