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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: rock · pitcher · net · pitch · wave · ruler · suit · calf

  1. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  2. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  6. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  11. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  12. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  13. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  14. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. He is an ace ________________.
  17. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  22. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  23. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  24. We were using a ________________ as a seat.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. pitch — completely
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. net — in sport
  6. net — after costs
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. suit — clothes
  10. wave — a sudden rise
  11. pitch — a sales talk
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. pitch — a sports field
  15. suit — to fit
  16. pitcher — in baseball
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. rock — music
  19. suit — in cards
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. wave — with your hand
  22. net — for catching
  23. wave — of the sea
  24. rock — a stone

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