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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.

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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: coach · can · mark · calf · leaves · band · current · ball

  1. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  5. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  10. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. The King held a masked ________________.
  17. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  18. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  19. Have you met the new head ________________?
  20. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  24. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.

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

Answer key

  1. band — a music group
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. coach — pulled by horses
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. mark — a trace
  8. can — to be able to
  9. current — happening now
  10. ball — a round shape
  11. can — a tin
  12. mark — a grade
  13. can — a tin
  14. current — electric
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. ball — a dance
  17. band — a ring
  18. band — a rubber band
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. ball — a great time
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. calf — of the leg
  23. current — of water
  24. calf — a young animal

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