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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. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  2. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  5. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  9. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  10. We're on a ________________ here.
  11. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  12. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  13. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  14. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  15. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  16. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  17. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. That must've been a ________________.
  20. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. That was ________________ to happen.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — obliged
  2. chip — to eat
  3. mug — to rob
  4. bank — for money
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. mug — a cup
  8. roll — a cake
  9. bound — tied together
  10. roll — on a roll
  11. chip — in a computer
  12. deal — to handle
  13. bank — of a river
  14. bank — for money
  15. deal — an agreement
  16. chip — for betting
  17. roll — a list
  18. mug — a face
  19. rush — a thrill
  20. calf — of the leg
  21. rush — hurry
  22. bound — certain
  23. rush — to hurry
  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