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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. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  10. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  11. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  12. I'll be taking the ________________.
  13. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  16. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  23. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. lie — to recline
  3. bore — to drill
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. bore — gave birth
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. tube — the underground
  13. tube — a container
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. racket — a loud noise
  16. ball — a great time
  17. stand — to bear
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. ball — a dance
  20. stand — for spectators
  21. pass — a permit
  22. tube — in a tire
  23. bore — to tire
  24. pass — to succeed

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