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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. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  4. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  5. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  8. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  18. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. board — a flat piece
  4. rush — to hurry
  5. lash — to lash out
  6. suit — to fit
  7. craft — a skill
  8. drill — the tool
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. calf — of the leg
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. drill — army training
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. suit — clothes
  17. drill — a practice
  18. lash — an eyelash
  19. rush — hurry
  20. pass — a permit
  21. board — a committee
  22. craft — boats
  23. board — to get on
  24. craft — a handicraft

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