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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
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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: ground · lie · charge · patient · arm · coach · calf · can

  1. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  6. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  10. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. My father caught me by the ________________.
  14. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  15. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  16. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  17. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  18. There's no middle ________________.
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. Have you met the new head ________________?
  21. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  24. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. charge — electricity
  3. can — a tin
  4. can — a tin
  5. patient — a sick person
  6. coach — pulled by horses
  7. lie — to recline
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. arm — a part of something
  10. ground — crushed
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. charge — a price
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. charge — in control
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. patient — calm and waiting
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. ground — a position
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. patient — a sick person
  22. can — to be able to
  23. ground — the earth
  24. coach — a trainer

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