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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: pitcher · file · staff · calf · foot · season · bank · mug

  1. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  6. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  7. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  8. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  9. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  12. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. Did you ________________ the meat?
  18. He is an ace ________________.
  19. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  20. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  21. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  24. Spring is a pleasant ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. foot — a measure
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. bank — for money
  6. file — a line of people
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. staff — employees
  9. staff — employees
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. foot — the bottom
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. mug — a face
  14. mug — to rob
  15. bank — of a river
  16. mug — a cup
  17. season — to add flavour
  18. pitcher — in baseball
  19. file — a tool
  20. staff — a stick
  21. file — a document
  22. bank — for money
  23. season — in sport
  24. season — of the year

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