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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: present · stand · calf · foot · rash · leaves · wave · firm

  1. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  6. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  9. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  10. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  11. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  12. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  13. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  14. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  15. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  19. I can't ________________ this cold.
  20. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  21. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  22. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  23. Don't do anything ________________.
  24. He had ________________ pain while walking.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — decided
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. present — the time now
  6. firm — steady
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. wave — a sudden rise
  10. wave — with your hand
  11. foot — a measure
  12. present — a gift
  13. foot — the bottom
  14. firm — a company
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. rash — a series
  19. stand — to bear
  20. rash — on the skin
  21. present — there
  22. wave — of the sea
  23. rash — hasty
  24. calf — of the leg

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