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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: suit · scale · lean · rock · calf · jam · saw · wax

  1. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  2. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  5. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  6. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  7. He works in a ________________ mill.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  10. She's very handy with a ________________.
  11. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  12. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  16. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  22. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. Would you like some apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. lean — thin
  2. jam — in traffic
  3. rock — a stone
  4. wax — for sculpting
  5. scale — for weighing
  6. saw — past of 'see'
  7. saw — the tool
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. wax — to grow
  10. saw — the tool
  11. lean — to rest against
  12. wax — in the ear
  13. suit — to fit
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. lean — to bend
  17. rock — music
  18. suit — clothes
  19. calf — of the leg
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. scale — in music
  22. scale — size or range
  23. suit — in cards
  24. jam — to spread on bread

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