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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.

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: pit · root · calf · can · bear · mug · lie · nail

  1. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  6. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  7. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  8. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  9. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  14. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  15. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  20. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  21. The ________________ went through the wall.
  22. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  23. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. root — of a word
  3. mug — to rob
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. bear — the animal
  6. root — of a plant
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. bear — the animal
  9. bear — to put up with
  10. can — to be able to
  11. lie — to recline
  12. can — a tin
  13. pit — a fruit stone
  14. nail — for a hammer
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. mug — a face
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. can — a tin
  19. nail — on a finger
  20. calf — of the leg
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. pit — a hole
  23. root — the cause
  24. mug — a cup

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