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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: foot · calf · jam · stand · rash · leaves · snap · plane

  1. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  7. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. I can't ________________ this cold.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  12. Don't do anything ________________.
  13. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  14. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  15. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  16. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  22. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — a measure
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. snap — to speak sharply
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. jam — to spread on bread
  7. jam — a tight spot
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. stand — to bear
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. jam — in traffic
  12. rash — hasty
  13. rash — on the skin
  14. foot — the bottom
  15. snap — to click
  16. rash — a series
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. foot — part of the body
  20. plane — a tool
  21. snap — to snap out of it
  22. stand — on your feet
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. leaves — to go away

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