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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.

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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: calf · game · wax · current · rush · stand · suit · lean

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. That was a fun ________________.
  3. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  4. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  11. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  12. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  15. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  16. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  17. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  18. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. game — a match
  3. game — wild animals
  4. lean — thin
  5. suit — in cards
  6. suit — clothes
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. suit — to fit
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. wax — to grow
  11. lean — to bend
  12. current — happening now
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. wax — for sculpting
  15. game — a kind of play
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. lean — to rest against
  18. stand — on your feet
  19. current — electric
  20. rush — hurry
  21. wax — in the ear
  22. stand — to bear
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. current — of water

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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