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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 120 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. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  2. Have you found your soul ________________?
  3. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  10. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  11. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. How do you ________________ your surname?
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.

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

Answer key

  1. mate — to breed
  2. mate — a partner
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. mate — a friend
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. wake — a trail
  10. wake — before a funeral
  11. cue — for pool
  12. cue — a signal
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. spell — letters
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. wake — to stop sleeping
  17. cue — a hint
  18. lie — to recline
  19. spell — a short time
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. spell — magic
  23. plane — a tool
  24. lie — an untruth

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