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

Word bank: net · cue · content · snap · lie · safe · toast · shower

  1. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  2. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  3. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  6. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  9. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  10. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  14. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  19. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  22. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. net — in sport
  2. shower — rain
  3. content — videos and posts
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. content — the amount
  6. net — for catching
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. shower — a meteor shower
  9. shower — to wash
  10. cue — a signal
  11. toast — bread
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. snap — to snap out of it
  14. snap — to speak sharply
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. cue — for pool
  17. lie — to recline
  18. content — happy
  19. snap — to click
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. net — after costs
  23. cue — a hint
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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