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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. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  8. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  9. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  13. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  14. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  15. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  16. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. Did you ________________ the meat?
  24. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — to handle
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. mug — to rob
  5. season — of the year
  6. lie — to recline
  7. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. deal — an agreement
  10. mug — a cup
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. mouse — for a computer
  13. kid — child
  14. season — in sport
  15. deal — a big deal
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. pass — a permit
  19. mug — a face
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. season — to add flavour
  24. kid — to tease

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