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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: fine · ball · jam · chip · calf · lie · toast · firm

  1. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  2. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  3. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  6. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  11. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  21. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  22. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  23. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — decided
  2. ball — a great time
  3. firm — steady
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. jam — a tight spot
  6. firm — a company
  7. fine — all right
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. fine — high quality
  10. calf — of the leg
  11. chip — to eat
  12. lie — to recline
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. chip — for betting
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. ball — a dance
  20. ball — a round shape
  21. fine — a penalty
  22. chip — in a computer
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. toast — bread

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