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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: calf · swing · stand · cue · bound · kick · plane · jam

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  4. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  5. David sat on the ________________.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  9. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  15. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  16. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  19. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  20. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  21. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. That was ________________ to happen.
  24. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. bound — tied together
  3. kick — with a leg
  4. swing — music
  5. swing — to play on
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. kick — a thrill
  9. cue — a signal
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. cue — for pool
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. swing — in golf
  15. plane — a tool
  16. kick — in football
  17. stand — to bear
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. calf — of the leg
  20. bound — obliged
  21. cue — a hint
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. bound — certain
  24. plane — in geometry

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