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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: chip · wound · bowl · bay · calf · foot · suit · mug

  1. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  3. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  8. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  9. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  10. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  11. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  12. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  13. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  20. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  21. Where did you ________________ them?
  22. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  23. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  24. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. chip — to eat
  3. chip — for betting
  4. suit — in cards
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. bay — a part of the sea
  8. bowl — a dish
  9. foot — part of the body
  10. bowl — a football final
  11. wound — past of 'wind'
  12. foot — a measure
  13. wound — an injury
  14. suit — clothes
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. suit — to fit
  18. mug — a cup
  19. foot — the bottom
  20. bowl — to roll
  21. mug — to rob
  22. chip — in a computer
  23. bay — to keep at bay
  24. wound — an injury

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