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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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  7. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  8. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  9. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  10. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  11. That was ________________ to happen.
  12. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  13. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  14. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  15. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  19. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  20. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  21. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  22. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  23. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  24. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. pound — for dogs
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. pound — to hit hard
  5. rock — music
  6. bound — tied together
  7. bank — for money
  8. pit — a hole
  9. dip — a sauce
  10. rock — a stone
  11. bound — certain
  12. racket — for tennis
  13. bank — for money
  14. dip — to dunk
  15. dip — to sink
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. bank — of a river
  20. pound — a weight
  21. pit — a fruit stone
  22. bound — obliged
  23. calf — of the leg
  24. racket — a loud noise

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