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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 · season · root · calf · club · jam · chip · can

  1. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  6. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  7. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  12. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  13. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  14. Did you ________________ the meat?
  15. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  16. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  17. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  23. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  24. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. suit — clothes
  3. can — a tin
  4. suit — to fit
  5. season — of the year
  6. jam — to spread on bread
  7. season — in sport
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. chip — in a computer
  10. suit — in cards
  11. jam — in traffic
  12. club — for golf
  13. chip — for betting
  14. season — to add flavour
  15. root — of a word
  16. club — a group
  17. root — of a plant
  18. can — to be able to
  19. calf — of the leg
  20. can — a tin
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. chip — to eat
  23. root — the cause
  24. club — for dancing

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