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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. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  5. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  9. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  10. The King held a masked ________________.
  11. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  16. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  24. He had ________________ pain while walking.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. bank — of a river
  5. ball — a great time
  6. can — a tin
  7. suit — in cards
  8. hand — in cards
  9. club — a group
  10. ball — a dance
  11. club — for golf
  12. suit — to fit
  13. bank — for money
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. hand — part of the body
  16. club — for dancing
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. ball — a round shape
  19. bank — for money
  20. can — to be able to
  21. can — a tin
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. hand — help
  24. calf — of the leg

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