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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: pop · bank · temple · mouse · suit · foot · calf · bark

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  4. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  5. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  6. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  7. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  8. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  9. We're almost out of ________________.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. You don't need to ________________ round.
  12. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  15. When was this ________________ built?
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  24. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. bark — to shout
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. bark — of a tree
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. foot — part of the body
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. pop — soda
  10. suit — to fit
  11. pop — to visit
  12. bank — of a river
  13. suit — in cards
  14. foot — the bottom
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. bark — a dog's sound
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. foot — a measure
  20. bank — for money
  21. temple — side of the head
  22. suit — clothes
  23. calf — of the leg
  24. pop — music

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