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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 · mark · track · press · bay · club · lean · bound

  1. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  5. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  6. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  7. My mare is ________________ in color.
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  10. Did you ________________ the button?
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  15. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  16. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  17. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  18. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  19. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  20. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  21. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  22. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  23. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  24. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. lean — thin
  3. press — newspapers
  4. track — to keep track
  5. club — for dancing
  6. bay — a part of the sea
  7. bay — a horse colour
  8. bound — certain
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. press — to push
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. lean — to rest against
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. bay — to keep at bay
  15. bound — tied together
  16. press — a publisher
  17. bound — obliged
  18. track — a path
  19. mark — a trace
  20. club — for golf
  21. club — a group
  22. lean — to bend
  23. track — a song
  24. calf — a young animal

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