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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. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  7. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  8. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  9. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  10. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. He is an ace ________________.
  14. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  15. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  16. The ________________ market has crashed.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  24. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.

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

Answer key

  1. track — to keep track
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. pitcher — a jug
  4. suit — in cards
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. bore — to tire
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. stock — a soup base
  10. track — a path
  11. can — a tin
  12. suit — clothes
  13. pitcher — in baseball
  14. bore — to drill
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. stock — shares
  17. suit — to fit
  18. can — to be able to
  19. stock — goods
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. can — a tin
  23. track — a song
  24. bore — gave birth

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