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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 ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  4. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. He is an ace ________________.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  17. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  18. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. lash — to lash out
  4. vault — a safe
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. suit — clothes
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. vault — in gymnastics
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. suit — to fit
  12. pit — a hole
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. pitcher — in baseball
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. pitcher — a jug
  17. vault — an arched ceiling
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. pit — in a race
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. pit — a fruit stone
  24. suit — in cards

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