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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. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. Have you found your soul ________________?
  10. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  13. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  14. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. Should I buy a wireless ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. calf — of the leg
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. rush — hurry
  4. plane — a tool
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. mate — to breed
  8. rock — music
  9. mate — a partner
  10. leaves — to go away
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. mate — a friend
  14. mug — a face
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. mug — a cup
  20. mug — to rob
  21. rock — a stone
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. mouse — for a computer

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