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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: suit · mate · calf · hand · toast · object · charge · arm

  1. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  2. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  3. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  4. Have you found your soul ________________?
  5. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  8. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  13. My father caught me by the ________________.
  14. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  18. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  19. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  23. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. mate — to breed
  2. object — an aim
  3. mate — a friend
  4. mate — a partner
  5. charge — in control
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. hand — help
  9. suit — to fit
  10. hand — part of the body
  11. toast — bread
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. toast — a drink to someone
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. charge — a price
  17. object — a thing
  18. object — to protest
  19. hand — in cards
  20. suit — in cards
  21. charge — electricity
  22. arm — a part of something
  23. calf — of the leg
  24. suit — clothes

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