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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 giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. The ________________ market has crashed.
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  9. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  10. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  11. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  12. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  13. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  14. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  15. The tickets are free of ________________.
  16. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  20. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. stock — shares
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. stock — goods
  6. toast — bread
  7. charge — in control
  8. charge — electricity
  9. patient — a sick person
  10. wave — of the sea
  11. rush — to hurry
  12. wave — with your hand
  13. patient — a sick person
  14. toast — a drink to someone
  15. charge — a price
  16. patient — calm and waiting
  17. rush — hurry
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. toast — the most admired
  20. wave — a sudden rise
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. stock — a soup base
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. temple — a place of worship

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