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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.

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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. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  3. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  4. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. I'll be taking the ________________.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  11. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  16. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  17. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  24. The moon will ________________ and wane.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — of the leg
  2. mug — a face
  3. branch — of a tree
  4. branch — of a bank
  5. mug — to rob
  6. stand — on your feet
  7. mug — a cup
  8. tube — the underground
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. wax — in the ear
  11. tube — a container
  12. pass — a permit
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. stand — to bear
  15. stand — for spectators
  16. wax — for sculpting
  17. tube — in a tire
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. cue — a hint
  20. cue — for pool
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. cue — a signal
  23. branch — a division
  24. wax — to grow

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