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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.

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: arm · row · calf · charge · stick · cabinet · bound · nail

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  3. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  4. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  5. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  6. The ________________ went through the wall.
  7. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  8. My father caught me by the ________________.
  9. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  12. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  13. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  14. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  20. That was ________________ to happen.
  21. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  22. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  23. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. bound — obliged
  3. row — a line
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. nail — on a finger
  8. arm — part of the body
  9. charge — electricity
  10. charge — a price
  11. stick — to attach or keep to
  12. arm — a part of something
  13. row — a quarrel
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. row — to paddle
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. bound — tied together
  20. bound — certain
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. charge — in control

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