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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.

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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: mouse · pound · calf · foot · bank · lie · scale · lash

  1. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  7. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  11. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  12. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  13. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  14. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  19. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  22. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  23. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. scale — for weighing
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. foot — the bottom
  8. bank — of a river
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. lash — to lash out
  11. foot — a measure
  12. pound — for dogs
  13. lash — a whip stroke
  14. scale — size or range
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. pound — a weight
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. pound — to hit hard
  19. calf — of the leg
  20. bank — for money
  21. scale — in music
  22. lash — an eyelash
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. bank — for money

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