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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: stand · calf · wave · mug · stick · spell · pitcher · degree

  1. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  2. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  5. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  6. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  7. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  12. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  13. He is an ace ________________.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. I can't ________________ this cold.
  16. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  17. How do you ________________ your surname?
  18. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  19. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  20. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  21. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  22. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. He had ________________ pain while walking.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — of the sea
  2. spell — a short time
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. pitcher — a jug
  5. pitcher — a jug
  6. wave — a sudden rise
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. wave — with your hand
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. mug — a cup
  12. degree — temperature
  13. pitcher — in baseball
  14. mug — to rob
  15. stand — to bear
  16. degree — from a university
  17. spell — letters
  18. stand — for spectators
  19. spell — magic
  20. stick — to attach or keep to
  21. degree — an amount
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. mug — a face
  24. calf — of the leg

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