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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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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: bay · tube · calf · safe · object · lie · pass · wave

  1. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  3. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  4. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  5. My mare is ________________ in color.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  12. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  13. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  16. I'll be taking the ________________.
  17. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  24. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. tube — in a tire
  3. object — an aim
  4. object — a thing
  5. bay — a horse colour
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. wave — of the sea
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. tube — a container
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. calf — of the leg
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. bay — a part of the sea
  16. tube — the underground
  17. wave — with your hand
  18. lie — to recline
  19. object — to protest
  20. pass — a permit
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. wave — a sudden rise
  24. lie — an untruth

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