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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 120 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: pop · net · lean · can · calf · lie · wind · wave

  1. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. We're almost out of ________________.
  3. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  4. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  8. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  9. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  10. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  11. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  12. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  13. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  14. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  15. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  16. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  17. You don't need to ________________ round.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  23. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  24. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. pop — soda
  3. lean — to rest against
  4. wave — a sudden rise
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. lean — thin
  9. net — after costs
  10. net — in sport
  11. pop — music
  12. wind — moving air
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. net — for catching
  15. lean — to bend
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. pop — to visit
  18. can — to be able to
  19. wave — of the sea
  20. can — a tin
  21. lie — to recline
  22. wind — moving air
  23. wave — with your hand
  24. wind — to turn a key

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