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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.

Words on the sheet
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Word bank
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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 spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  8. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  9. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  10. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  13. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  14. How do you ________________ your surname?
  15. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  16. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  17. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  18. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  19. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. Did you ________________ the meat?
  24. Have you found your soul ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. track — a song
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. degree — temperature
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. spell — magic
  8. track — to keep track
  9. spell — a short time
  10. degree — an amount
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. season — in sport
  13. lash — to lash out
  14. spell — letters
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. degree — from a university
  17. mate — to breed
  18. season — of the year
  19. track — a path
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. mate — a friend
  23. season — to add flavour
  24. mate — a partner

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