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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. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  3. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  4. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  12. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  15. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  16. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  17. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  18. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  19. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  20. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  21. The ________________ took off on time.
  22. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  23. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  24. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. foot — a measure
  3. dip — a sauce
  4. racket — for tennis
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. toast — bread
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. dip — to sink
  10. plane — a tool
  11. foot — part of the body
  12. plane — in geometry
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. prune — the fruit
  15. toast — a drink to someone
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. prune — to trim
  19. prune — to trim
  20. foot — the bottom
  21. plane — an aircraft
  22. dip — to dunk
  23. toast — the most admired
  24. racket — a loud noise

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