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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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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: hide · fine · scale · calf · leaves · pound · dip · current

  1. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  2. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  3. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  10. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  13. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  14. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  15. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  20. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  24. We have nothing to ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. pound — for dogs
  2. hide — animal skin
  3. scale — size or range
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. current — happening now
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. scale — for weighing
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. scale — in music
  10. dip — to dunk
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. dip — to sink
  13. calf — of the leg
  14. current — electric
  15. dip — a sauce
  16. fine — all right
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. pound — a weight
  20. fine — high quality
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. pound — to hit hard
  23. current — of water
  24. hide — to keep secret

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