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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 giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  3. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  4. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  13. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. hide — to keep secret
  4. stand — for spectators
  5. stand — to bear
  6. toast — bread
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. row — to paddle
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. row — a line
  11. mug — a face
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. hide — animal skin
  14. mug — a cup
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. mug — to rob
  17. stand — on your feet
  18. suit — to fit
  19. row — a quarrel
  20. suit — in cards
  21. calf — of the leg
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. suit — clothes
  24. safe — out of danger

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