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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. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  4. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  5. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  12. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  13. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  19. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  23. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  24. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. track — a song
  4. track — to keep track
  5. firm — a company
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. charge — a price
  11. firm — decided
  12. drill — the tool
  13. firm — steady
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. charge — electricity
  17. charge — in control
  18. bay — a part of the sea
  19. track — a path
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. drill — a practice
  23. drill — army training
  24. bay — to keep at bay

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