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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
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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 · wave · can · file · calf · press · mug · charge

  1. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  12. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  16. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. wave — a sudden rise
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. file — a document
  7. mug — a cup
  8. charge — a price
  9. press — a publisher
  10. mug — to rob
  11. file — a line of people
  12. calf — of the leg
  13. charge — in control
  14. press — to push
  15. file — a tool
  16. wave — of the sea
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. can — to be able to
  19. mug — a face
  20. press — newspapers
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. charge — electricity
  23. can — a tin
  24. wave — with your hand

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