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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
468
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: calf · cabinet · lie · ball · stem · safe · press · mark

  1. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  6. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  7. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. The King held a masked ________________.
  16. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  17. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  20. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  21. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  22. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. stem — a stem cell
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. stem — to come from
  7. press — newspapers
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. lie — to recline
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. ball — a great time
  14. press — to push
  15. ball — a dance
  16. mark — a grade
  17. ball — a round shape
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. calf — of the leg
  20. press — a publisher
  21. stem — of a plant
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. safe — out of danger

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