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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. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  2. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  5. My mare is ________________ in color.
  6. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  7. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  10. The ________________ went through the wall.
  11. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  12. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  13. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  14. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  15. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  16. How do you ________________ your surname?
  17. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  18. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  21. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  22. Have you found your soul ________________?
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — of the leg
  2. hide — animal skin
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. foot — part of the body
  5. bay — a horse colour
  6. nail — on a finger
  7. foot — the bottom
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. bay — to keep at bay
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. spell — a short time
  15. mate — to breed
  16. spell — letters
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. mate — a friend
  19. rush — hurry
  20. bay — a part of the sea
  21. spell — magic
  22. mate — a partner
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. foot — a measure

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