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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. The ________________ went through the wall.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  5. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  6. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  7. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. False peace will not ________________.
  11. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  16. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  17. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  23. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  24. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. suit — to fit
  4. wax — for sculpting
  5. last — finally
  6. hide — animal skin
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. suit — clothes
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. last — to go on
  11. last — final
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. wax — in the ear
  16. wax — to grow
  17. nail — on a finger
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. suit — in cards
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. calf — of the leg
  24. nail — for a hammer

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