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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
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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: fan · cue · coach · lean · face · mate · calf · ruler

  1. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  2. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  3. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  7. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  8. Have you found your soul ________________?
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. Have you met the new head ________________?
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  14. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  15. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  16. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  17. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  21. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  22. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  23. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. face — to confront
  2. face — part of the head
  3. fan — a supporter
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. cue — a hint
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. mate — a partner
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. mate — to breed
  14. lean — thin
  15. coach — pulled by horses
  16. lean — to bend
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. cue — for pool
  19. cue — a signal
  20. mate — a friend
  21. calf — of the leg
  22. lean — to rest against
  23. face — to point toward
  24. ruler — for measuring

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