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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. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  7. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  8. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  9. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  13. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  14. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  15. That must've been a ________________.
  16. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  21. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  24. I have a corn on my right ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wax — to grow
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. lean — to rest against
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. lean — to bend
  7. leaves — to go away
  8. prune — to trim
  9. rush — hurry
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. lean — thin
  13. wax — for sculpting
  14. lie — to recline
  15. rush — a thrill
  16. prune — the fruit
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. wax — in the ear
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. foot — the bottom
  21. foot — a measure
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. prune — to trim
  24. foot — part of the body

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