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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 giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  5. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  16. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  17. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  18. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  19. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. toast — the most admired
  3. key — in music
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. toast — bread
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. firm — steady
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. firm — decided
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. rush — to hurry
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. fan — to cool the air
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. calf — of the leg
  16. plane — a tool
  17. firm — a company
  18. jam — in traffic
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. key — the most important part
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. rush — hurry
  24. key — for a lock

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