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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.

Words on the sheet
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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: ball · staff · rash · calf · ruler · mark · lie · mug

  1. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  3. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  4. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  5. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. Don't do anything ________________.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  15. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  22. The King held a masked ________________.
  23. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. rash — on the skin
  3. calf — of the leg
  4. rash — a series
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. mug — a face
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. rash — hasty
  10. mug — a cup
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. ball — a round shape
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. mug — to rob
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. staff — employees
  19. mark — a grade
  20. mark — a trace
  21. staff — a stick
  22. ball — a dance
  23. staff — employees
  24. ball — a great time

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