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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. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  2. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  5. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  8. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  9. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  10. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  13. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  19. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  20. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  21. David sat on the ________________.
  22. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. object — to protest
  2. face — to point toward
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. foot — the bottom
  5. object — an aim
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. object — a thing
  8. net — for catching
  9. face — to confront
  10. net — after costs
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. face — part of the head
  13. swing — music
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. foot — a measure
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. foot — part of the body
  19. swing — in golf
  20. net — in sport
  21. swing — to play on
  22. calf — of the leg
  23. safe — out of danger
  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