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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 120 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. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  3. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  6. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  7. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  8. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  9. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  10. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  16. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. False peace will not ________________.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. bowl — a dish
  3. calf — of the leg
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. perch — the fish
  6. rush — to hurry
  7. rush — hurry
  8. current — happening now
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. last — finally
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. bowl — a football final
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. bowl — to roll
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. current — electric
  19. last — final
  20. suit — clothes
  21. suit — to fit
  22. suit — in cards
  23. last — to go on
  24. current — of water

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