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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: toast · foot · lean · bank · arm · calf · rush · chip

  1. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  2. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  3. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  4. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  5. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  6. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  7. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  8. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  11. My father caught me by the ________________.
  12. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  13. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  14. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  15. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  20. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  21. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  22. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  23. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — of the leg
  2. chip — in a computer
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. lean — to rest against
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. arm — part of the body
  7. chip — to eat
  8. toast — a drink to someone
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. bank — for money
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. chip — for betting
  13. bank — of a river
  14. lean — thin
  15. bank — for money
  16. foot — a measure
  17. lean — to bend
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. toast — the most admired
  20. foot — part of the body
  21. toast — bread
  22. foot — the bottom
  23. arm — a part of something
  24. rush — hurry

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