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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: wax · bat · scale · coach · object · calf · suit · toast

  1. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  3. Have you met the new head ________________?
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  6. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  7. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  10. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  11. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  12. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  13. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  14. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  15. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  18. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  21. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  22. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. scale — in music
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. toast — the most admired
  7. wax — for sculpting
  8. suit — clothes
  9. wax — to grow
  10. coach — pulled by horses
  11. scale — for weighing
  12. toast — bread
  13. object — a thing
  14. scale — size or range
  15. bat — the animal
  16. suit — to fit
  17. object — to protest
  18. bat — in an idiom
  19. suit — in cards
  20. bat — for baseball
  21. toast — a drink to someone
  22. wax — in the ear
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. object — an aim

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