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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. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  5. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. Have you met the new head ________________?
  8. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  14. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  15. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. cue — a hint
  2. lie — to recline
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. wax — for sculpting
  5. wax — to grow
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. foot — the bottom
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. cue — a signal
  13. wax — in the ear
  14. foot — part of the body
  15. cue — for pool
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. foot — a measure
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. pass — a permit
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. pass — to succeed
  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