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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.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  3. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  6. What do you think of the new ________________?
  7. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. The ________________ took off on time.
  10. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  11. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  12. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  13. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  14. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  15. Did you ________________ the meat?
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  19. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  20. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. snap — to snap out of it
  3. calf — of the leg
  4. plane — a tool
  5. snap — to click
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. object — to protest
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. plane — an aircraft
  10. object — a thing
  11. plane — in geometry
  12. wax — for sculpting
  13. wax — to grow
  14. season — in sport
  15. season — to add flavour
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. snap — to speak sharply
  19. wax — in the ear
  20. object — an aim
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. season — of the year
  23. pass — a permit
  24. calf — a young animal

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