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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 train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. I can't ________________ this cold.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  22. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  23. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  24. Have you met the new head ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. stand — on your feet
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. plane — a tool
  4. pass — to succeed
  5. pass — a permit
  6. coach — pulled by horses
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. stand — to bear
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. lie — to recline
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. pound — for dogs
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. pound — to hit hard
  22. pound — a weight
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. coach — a trainer

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