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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. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  4. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. That was ________________ to happen.
  8. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  9. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  10. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  11. Don't do anything ________________.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  14. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. Did you ________________ the meat?
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. bound — obliged
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. bound — certain
  8. rash — on the skin
  9. season — of the year
  10. rash — a series
  11. rash — hasty
  12. mug — a cup
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. bound — tied together
  15. mug — to rob
  16. season — in sport
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. lie — to recline
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. season — to add flavour
  24. mug — a face

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