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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. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  7. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  14. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  15. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. We're on a ________________ here.
  23. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  24. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. mark — a grade
  6. bound — tied together
  7. firm — steady
  8. fine — all right
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. suit — clothes
  11. mark — a trace
  12. suit — in cards
  13. roll — a list
  14. bound — obliged
  15. roll — a cake
  16. rock — music
  17. bound — certain
  18. firm — a company
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. fine — high quality
  21. suit — to fit
  22. roll — on a roll
  23. fine — a penalty
  24. firm — decided

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