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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 · pass · hide · foot · stock · snap · fan · fine

  1. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  2. The ________________ market has crashed.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  5. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  6. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  7. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  8. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  9. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  10. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  13. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  14. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  15. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  16. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  17. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  20. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  23. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — all right
  2. stock — shares
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. foot — the bottom
  6. hide — to keep secret
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. snap — to speak sharply
  9. snap — to click
  10. stock — goods
  11. pass — a permit
  12. snap — to snap out of it
  13. fine — a penalty
  14. hide — animal skin
  15. stock — a soup base
  16. calf — of the leg
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. fan — to cool the air
  20. pass — to spend time
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. foot — a measure
  23. foot — part of the body
  24. fine — high quality

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