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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 ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  2. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  6. The King held a masked ________________.
  7. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  8. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  9. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  10. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  13. Have you met the new head ________________?
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. That must've been a ________________.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  19. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  22. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  23. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. coach — a trainer
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. ball — a round shape
  6. ball — a dance
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. coach — pulled by horses
  9. cap — a hat
  10. cap — a lid
  11. rush — hurry
  12. stick — a piece of wood
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. rush — a thrill
  16. can — a tin
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. ball — a great time
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. can — to be able to
  21. cap — of ice
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. hide — animal skin
  24. can — a tin

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