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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 116 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 protected her ________________ with great courage.
  2. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  3. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  6. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  7. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  10. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  11. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  17. The ________________ market has crashed.
  18. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. band — a rubber band
  3. object — a thing
  4. mug — to rob
  5. stock — a soup base
  6. band — a music group
  7. stand — on your feet
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. stock — goods
  10. object — an aim
  11. band — a ring
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. stand — to bear
  14. leaves — lets stay
  15. mug — a cup
  16. calf — of the leg
  17. stock — shares
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. mug — a face
  20. object — to protest
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. stand — for spectators
  24. ruler — for measuring

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