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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.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: bear · charge · cue · track · can · calf · foot · temple

  1. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  6. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  9. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  15. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  16. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  17. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  18. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  21. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  22. When was this ________________ built?
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. track — a song
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. cue — a signal
  4. cue — a hint
  5. charge — in control
  6. cue — for pool
  7. can — a tin
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. can — a tin
  11. charge — electricity
  12. foot — part of the body
  13. charge — a price
  14. bear — the animal
  15. calf — of the leg
  16. bear — the animal
  17. track — a path
  18. track — to keep track
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. foot — the bottom
  21. bear — to put up with
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. can — to be able to
  24. foot — a measure

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