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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: mark · lie · racket · bulb · track · safe · suit · calf

  1. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  6. The light ________________ burned out.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  10. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  11. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  12. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  15. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  19. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  20. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. lie — to recline
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. track — a path
  6. bulb — for light
  7. mark — a grade
  8. bulb — for light
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. track — a song
  13. suit — clothes
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. calf — of the leg
  16. suit — in cards
  17. suit — to fit
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. track — to keep track
  20. racket — for tennis
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. racket — a loud noise
  23. safe — a strongbox
  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