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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: pass · fine · deal · charge · lean · calf · lie · prune

  1. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  7. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  8. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  9. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  13. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  14. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  22. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  23. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — all right
  2. lie — to recline
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. charge — electricity
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. calf — of the leg
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. charge — in control
  9. deal — an agreement
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. charge — a price
  12. prune — the fruit
  13. prune — to trim
  14. deal — to handle
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. pass — a permit
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. prune — to trim
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. lean — to bend
  22. lean — thin
  23. lean — to rest against
  24. fine — high quality

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