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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 116 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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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: lie · ruler · racket · calf · object · cue · fan · staff

  1. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  4. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  12. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  13. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  17. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  23. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. racket — a loud noise
  2. object — a thing
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. object — to protest
  5. cue — a hint
  6. cue — a signal
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. staff — employees
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. staff — employees
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. lie — to recline
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. staff — a stick
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. cue — for pool
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. calf — of the leg
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. object — an aim

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