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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. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  7. You don't need to ________________ round.
  8. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  9. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  10. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  11. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  12. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  13. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  16. She's very handy with a ________________.
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. He works in a ________________ mill.
  19. We're almost out of ________________.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  22. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  23. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. lie — to recline
  6. saw — past of 'see'
  7. pop — to visit
  8. pit — a fruit stone
  9. pop — music
  10. nail — on a finger
  11. lash — an eyelash
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. lash — to lash out
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. pit — a hole
  16. saw — the tool
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. saw — the tool
  19. pop — soda
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. pit — in a race
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. pass — a permit

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