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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. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  3. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  6. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  7. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  8. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  9. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  10. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. Have you found your soul ________________?
  19. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  20. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  21. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  22. Did you ________________ the meat?
  23. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  24. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. jam — a tight spot
  3. craft — a handicraft
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. craft — boats
  6. calf — of the leg
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. lie — to recline
  9. racket — for tennis
  10. season — of the year
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. mate — a friend
  13. toast — bread
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. racket — for tennis
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. mate — a partner
  19. season — in sport
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. mate — to breed
  22. season — to add flavour
  23. racket — a loud noise
  24. craft — a skill

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