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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.

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

Word bank: calf · wake · saw · cabinet · dip · safe · ball · root

  1. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. He works in a ________________ mill.
  9. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  10. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  13. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  14. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  17. She's very handy with a ________________.
  18. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  19. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  22. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  23. The King held a masked ________________.
  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. calf — a young animal
  2. dip — a sauce
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. dip — to sink
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. saw — the tool
  9. wake — a trail
  10. wake — before a funeral
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. root — of a plant
  13. saw — past of 'see'
  14. root — of a word
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. dip — to dunk
  17. saw — the tool
  18. root — the cause
  19. wake — to stop sleeping
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. ball — a great time
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. ball — a dance
  24. safe — out of danger

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