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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.

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: season · net · fine · plane · lie · calf · drill · mug

  1. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  4. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  5. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  6. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  7. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. Did you ________________ the meat?
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  22. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  23. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  24. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. mug — a face
  4. drill — army training
  5. net — for catching
  6. season — of the year
  7. net — in sport
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. drill — a practice
  10. fine — all right
  11. mug — to rob
  12. lie — to recline
  13. season — in sport
  14. plane — a tool
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. fine — high quality
  18. mug — a cup
  19. season — to add flavour
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. drill — the tool
  22. net — after costs
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. fine — a penalty

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