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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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  6. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  9. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  10. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  11. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  14. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  15. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. can — a tin
  3. bear — the animal
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. fine — a penalty
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. bear — to put up with
  9. nail — on a finger
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. object — a thing
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. object — an aim
  14. fine — all right
  15. object — to protest
  16. can — to be able to
  17. rock — music
  18. stand — to bear
  19. bear — the animal
  20. can — a tin
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. rock — a stone
  23. calf — of the leg
  24. fine — high quality

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