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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: key · lash · toast · calf · rock · leaves · object · stand

  1. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  4. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  7. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. I can't ________________ this cold.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  19. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. object — a thing
  2. rock — a stone
  3. toast — bread
  4. lash — an eyelash
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. object — an aim
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. stand — to bear
  10. key — for a lock
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. rock — music
  13. key — the most important part
  14. key — in music
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. stand — on your feet
  19. object — to protest
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. stand — for spectators
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. leaves — lets stay

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