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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 120 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.

Make a worksheet

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: dip · kick · calf · arm · plane · mug · can · wake

  1. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  6. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. My father caught me by the ________________.
  12. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  13. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  16. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  19. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  20. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  23. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. kick — with a leg
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. arm — a part of something
  6. dip — to dunk
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. mug — a face
  9. kick — in football
  10. mug — to rob
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. wake — a trail
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. can — to be able to
  15. wake — before a funeral
  16. wake — to stop sleeping
  17. can — a tin
  18. plane — a tool
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. plane — in geometry
  21. can — a tin
  22. dip — a sauce
  23. kick — a thrill
  24. mug — a cup

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