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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 116 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 protected her ________________ with great courage.
  2. That was ________________ to happen.
  3. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  4. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  5. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  6. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  7. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  8. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  17. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  18. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  19. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  24. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. bound — certain
  3. vault — in gymnastics
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. bound — obliged
  6. bowl — to roll
  7. fan — to cool the air
  8. bowl — a football final
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. row — to paddle
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. row — a quarrel
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. pitch — a sports field
  17. vault — an arched ceiling
  18. row — a line
  19. vault — a safe
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. pitch — completely
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. bound — tied together
  24. pitch — a sales talk

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