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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  3. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  4. Did you ________________ the meat?
  5. Don't do anything ________________.
  6. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  9. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  10. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  13. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  19. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  20. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  21. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. My mare is ________________ in color.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. drill — army training
  4. season — to add flavour
  5. rash — hasty
  6. season — in sport
  7. mark — a trace
  8. rash — on the skin
  9. drill — the tool
  10. season — of the year
  11. mark — a grade
  12. bay — a part of the sea
  13. bound — obliged
  14. suit — clothes
  15. calf — of the leg
  16. suit — in cards
  17. bound — certain
  18. rash — a series
  19. bound — tied together
  20. drill — a practice
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. suit — to fit
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. bay — a horse colour

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