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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. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  2. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  4. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  8. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  9. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  10. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  11. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  20. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  21. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  22. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  24. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.

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

Answer key

  1. row — to paddle
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. bay — a part of the sea
  4. mark — a grade
  5. rock — a stone
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. row — a quarrel
  9. stand — on your feet
  10. face — to point toward
  11. perch — the fish
  12. mark — a trace
  13. bay — to keep at bay
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. stand — to bear
  18. rock — music
  19. stand — for spectators
  20. face — part of the head
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. face — to confront
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. row — a line

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