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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 120 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: safe · calf · content · charge · trunk · saw · bowl · branch

  1. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  6. She's very handy with a ________________.
  7. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  10. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  13. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  16. He works in a ________________ mill.
  17. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  18. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  19. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  20. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  21. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  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. content — videos and posts
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. charge — electricity
  5. charge — in control
  6. saw — the tool
  7. bowl — a dish
  8. charge — a price
  9. branch — of a bank
  10. bowl — to roll
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. branch — a division
  13. saw — past of 'see'
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. content — happy
  16. saw — the tool
  17. content — the amount
  18. trunk — of an elephant
  19. branch — of a tree
  20. bowl — a football final
  21. trunk — of a car
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. calf — a young animal
  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