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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.

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: calf · lash · cabinet · temple · can · pit · wax · leaves

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  8. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  11. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  23. When was this ________________ built?
  24. The ________________ change colour in autumn.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. wax — to grow
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. pit — a fruit stone
  6. can — a tin
  7. wax — for sculpting
  8. pit — a hole
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. pit — in a race
  11. lash — to lash out
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. calf — of the leg
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. can — to be able to
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. wax — in the ear
  21. can — a tin
  22. temple — side of the head
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. leaves — of a tree

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