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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 train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  7. He works in a ________________ mill.
  8. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  9. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  10. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. Don't do anything ________________.
  13. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  14. There's no middle ________________.
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  20. Have you found your soul ________________?
  21. She's very handy with a ________________.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. rash — a series
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. charge — in control
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. rash — on the skin
  7. saw — the tool
  8. mate — to breed
  9. ground — the earth
  10. mate — a friend
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. rash — hasty
  13. saw — past of 'see'
  14. ground — a position
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. charge — a price
  17. suit — to fit
  18. suit — clothes
  19. ground — crushed
  20. mate — a partner
  21. saw — the tool
  22. charge — electricity
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. suit — in cards

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