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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 120 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 cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  3. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  4. What do you think of the new ________________?
  5. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  8. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  9. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  10. Don't do anything ________________.
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  13. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  14. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  15. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  16. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  17. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  18. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  19. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  24. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. rash — on the skin
  3. calf — of the leg
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. suit — in cards
  7. bank — for money
  8. bear — the animal
  9. perch — the fish
  10. rash — hasty
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. wax — to grow
  13. rash — a series
  14. cabinet — a cupboard
  15. bear — the animal
  16. wax — for sculpting
  17. perch — for a bird
  18. bank — for money
  19. wax — in the ear
  20. suit — to fit
  21. bank — of a river
  22. bear — to put up with
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. perch — for a bird

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