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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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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: mark · calf · game · arm · mate · jam · hide · vault

  1. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  3. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  4. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  7. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  8. That was a fun ________________.
  9. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  10. My father caught me by the ________________.
  11. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  12. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  13. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. Have you found your soul ________________?
  16. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  19. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  20. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  24. Tom got himself in a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. vault — in gymnastics
  3. hide — animal skin
  4. arm — a part of something
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. hide — to keep secret
  7. vault — an arched ceiling
  8. game — a match
  9. game — wild animals
  10. arm — part of the body
  11. game — a kind of play
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. mate — to breed
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. mate — a partner
  16. calf — of the leg
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. mate — a friend
  19. vault — a safe
  20. mark — a grade
  21. mark — a trace
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  24. jam — a tight spot

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