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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. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  2. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  6. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  7. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  11. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  12. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  13. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  21. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  22. Did you ________________ the meat?
  23. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. toast — bread
  2. toast — a drink to someone
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. season — in sport
  8. cue — for pool
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. foot — the bottom
  11. season — of the year
  12. bear — to put up with
  13. calf — of the leg
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. foot — a measure
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. foot — part of the body
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. bear — the animal
  21. cue — a hint
  22. season — to add flavour
  23. bear — the animal
  24. cue — a signal

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