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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: bowl · shower · key · rock · dip · suit · calf · sharp

  1. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  9. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  10. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  11. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  12. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  13. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  14. It's one o'clock ________________.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  17. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  18. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  19. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. This knife is not ________________ enough.

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

Answer key

  1. shower — rain
  2. dip — to sink
  3. dip — to dunk
  4. suit — in cards
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. suit — clothes
  7. key — in music
  8. sharp — clever
  9. bowl — a dish
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. bowl — to roll
  12. rock — a stone
  13. shower — to wash
  14. sharp — exactly
  15. key — the most important part
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. rock — to move gently
  18. shower — a meteor shower
  19. dip — a sauce
  20. key — for a lock
  21. rock — music
  22. bowl — a football final
  23. suit — to fit
  24. sharp — with an edge

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