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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: net · arm · plane · mug · deal · suit · face · calf

  1. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. Where did you ________________ them?
  3. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  4. My father caught me by the ________________.
  5. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  10. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  11. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  16. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  17. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  18. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  22. The ________________ took off on time.
  23. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  24. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. mug — to rob
  3. face — to point toward
  4. arm — part of the body
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. mug — a face
  8. mug — a cup
  9. arm — part of the body
  10. deal — an agreement
  11. net — in sport
  12. suit — in cards
  13. arm — a part of something
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. deal — a big deal
  16. net — for catching
  17. face — to confront
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. suit — clothes
  20. plane — a tool
  21. face — part of the head
  22. plane — an aircraft
  23. net — after costs
  24. deal — to handle

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