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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.

Make a worksheet

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

  1. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  6. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  12. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  13. The ________________ went through the wall.
  14. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  15. He is an ace ________________.
  16. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  17. How do you ________________ your surname?
  18. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. spell — magic
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. pitcher — a jug
  6. key — for a lock
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. spell — a short time
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. pitcher — in baseball
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. spell — letters
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. key — in music
  20. stick — to attach or keep to
  21. key — the most important part
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. plane — a tool
  24. safe — out of danger

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