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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. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  2. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  3. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  16. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  19. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  22. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  23. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  24. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — an agreement
  2. track — a path
  3. track — to keep track
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. deal — to handle
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. deal — a big deal
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. mouse — for a computer
  11. mark — a grade
  12. mark — a trace
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. calf — of the leg
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. bank — of a river
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. bank — for money
  22. perch — the fish
  23. bank — for money
  24. track — a song

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