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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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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 ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. The ________________ went through the wall.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  7. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  12. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  13. He was locked up in a ________________.
  14. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  15. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. cue — for pool
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. object — an aim
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. cue — a hint
  11. nail — on a finger
  12. object — a thing
  13. cell — in a prison
  14. cell — in biology
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. can — to be able to
  17. can — a tin
  18. object — to protest
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. bank — of a river
  21. cell — a phone
  22. can — a tin
  23. cue — a signal
  24. bank — for money

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