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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 protected her ________________ with great courage.
  2. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  5. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  6. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  9. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  10. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  16. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  24. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. fine — a penalty
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. toast — the most admired
  5. chip — for betting
  6. patient — a sick person
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. charge — in control
  9. chip — to eat
  10. patient — calm and waiting
  11. charge — electricity
  12. charge — a price
  13. chip — in a computer
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. toast — a drink to someone
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. toast — bread
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. fine — all right
  21. fine — high quality
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. patient — a sick person
  24. calf — a young animal

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