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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. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  3. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  4. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  5. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  10. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  11. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  12. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  13. How do you ________________ your surname?
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. The tickets are free of ________________.
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  18. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  19. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  22. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  23. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  24. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. spell — magic
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. spell — a short time
  5. foot — the bottom
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. charge — electricity
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. charge — in control
  10. spring — a coil
  11. firm — a company
  12. spring — the season
  13. spell — letters
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. charge — a price
  16. foot — a measure
  17. firm — decided
  18. net — after costs
  19. calf — of the leg
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. net — for catching
  22. firm — steady
  23. net — in sport
  24. spring — of water

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