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

Word bank: rush · mug · rule · suit · temple · club · firm · calf

  1. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  2. Where did you ________________ them?
  3. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  4. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  5. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  11. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  12. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. That must've been a ________________.
  20. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  21. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  22. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  23. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — of the leg
  2. mug — to rob
  3. club — for golf
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. rule — government
  6. suit — clothes
  7. rush — hurry
  8. suit — to fit
  9. mug — a cup
  10. club — a group
  11. firm — decided
  12. firm — a company
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. mug — a face
  16. suit — in cards
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. rush — a thrill
  20. club — for dancing
  21. rule — to rule out
  22. rule — a law
  23. firm — steady
  24. temple — a place of worship

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