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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: pop · track · bay · safe · lean · board · calf · swing

  1. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  2. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  3. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  4. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  5. You don't need to ________________ round.
  6. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  7. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  8. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. We're almost out of ________________.
  13. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  14. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  15. David sat on the ________________.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  18. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  19. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  20. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  23. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  24. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — music
  2. lean — to rest against
  3. lean — thin
  4. track — a song
  5. pop — to visit
  6. calf — of the leg
  7. board — a committee
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. pop — soda
  13. lean — to bend
  14. bay — a part of the sea
  15. swing — to play on
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. bay — to keep at bay
  18. track — to keep track
  19. swing — in golf
  20. pop — music
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. track — a path
  24. board — to get on

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