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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. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  8. My father caught me by the ________________.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  11. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  14. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. My mare is ________________ in color.
  20. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  21. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. can — to be able to
  6. rock — a stone
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. arm — part of the body
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. arm — a part of something
  11. firm — decided
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. plane — a tool
  14. bay — a part of the sea
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. can — a tin
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. rock — music
  19. bay — a horse colour
  20. firm — a company
  21. firm — steady
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. can — a tin
  24. bay — to keep at bay

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