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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 120 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. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  4. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. He is an ace ________________.
  8. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  9. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  10. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  11. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  12. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  13. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  14. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  15. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  18. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  19. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  22. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  23. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  24. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. wax — to grow
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. board — to get on
  7. pitcher — in baseball
  8. mouse — for a computer
  9. foot — the bottom
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. foot — a measure
  12. bank — for money
  13. wax — in the ear
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. wax — for sculpting
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. bank — of a river
  18. bank — for money
  19. bore — gave birth
  20. board — a committee
  21. bore — to tire
  22. bore — to drill
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. calf — a young animal

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