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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 116 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.

Make a worksheet

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: bear · wound · calf · saw · mug · lie · charge · bowl

  1. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  2. She's very handy with a ________________.
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. He works in a ________________ mill.
  7. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  10. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  11. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  15. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  22. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. saw — the tool
  3. mug — a cup
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. lie — to recline
  6. saw — the tool
  7. wound — an injury
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. wound — past of 'wind'
  10. bowl — a football final
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. charge — electricity
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. bear — the animal
  16. mug — to rob
  17. mug — a face
  18. bowl — to roll
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. charge — a price
  21. bowl — a dish
  22. wound — an injury
  23. charge — in control
  24. bear — to put up with

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