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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. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  4. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  5. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  13. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. Have you met the new head ________________?
  16. It's one o'clock ________________.
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  20. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  21. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. row — to paddle
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. coach — pulled by horses
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. suit — in cards
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. sharp — with an edge
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. sharp — exactly
  17. mark — a grade
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. row — a quarrel
  20. sharp — clever
  21. row — a line
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. suit — clothes
  24. suit — to fit

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