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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 giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  4. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  5. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  6. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  14. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  21. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  24. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. mark — a trace
  3. net — in sport
  4. mark — a grade
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. calf — of the leg
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. net — after costs
  9. can — a tin
  10. can — a tin
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. mouse — for a computer
  14. net — for catching
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. can — to be able to
  20. toast — a drink to someone
  21. toast — bread
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. lie — to recline

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