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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. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  7. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  12. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  13. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  14. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  15. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  16. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  17. My father caught me by the ________________.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. The ________________ market has crashed.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  22. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  23. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  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. calf — a young animal
  2. arm — a part of something
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. cue — a hint
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. drill — a practice
  7. cue — for pool
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. drill — the tool
  10. current — electric
  11. hide — animal skin
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. stock — a soup base
  14. hide — to keep secret
  15. current — happening now
  16. stock — goods
  17. arm — part of the body
  18. current — of water
  19. stock — shares
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. hide — to keep secret
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. drill — army training
  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