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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. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  3. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  7. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  20. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  21. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  22. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  23. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. cap — a lid
  3. current — electric
  4. suit — in cards
  5. current — of water
  6. press — newspapers
  7. press — a publisher
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. content — the amount
  11. current — happening now
  12. content — videos and posts
  13. press — to push
  14. content — happy
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. pound — for dogs
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. suit — to fit
  19. cap — a hat
  20. cap — of ice
  21. pound — a weight
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. pound — to hit hard
  24. suit — clothes

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