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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 116 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: perch · key · calf · bay · bank · patient · mug · pitch

  1. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  4. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  5. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  13. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  14. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  15. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  16. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  17. My mare is ________________ in color.
  18. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  19. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a cup
  2. key — in music
  3. bay — a part of the sea
  4. pitch — completely
  5. patient — a sick person
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. patient — calm and waiting
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. pitch — a sales talk
  10. key — for a lock
  11. bank — for money
  12. pitch — a sports field
  13. perch — for a bird
  14. bay — to keep at bay
  15. bank — of a river
  16. perch — the fish
  17. bay — a horse colour
  18. bank — for money
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. mug — to rob
  21. patient — a sick person
  22. key — the most important part
  23. perch — for a bird
  24. mug — a face

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