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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: hide · ball · calf · board · suit · chip · safe · stock

  1. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  2. The ________________ market has crashed.
  3. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  4. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  5. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  8. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  18. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. The King held a masked ________________.
  21. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  22. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  23. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  24. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a great time
  2. stock — shares
  3. stock — goods
  4. board — a flat piece
  5. hide — animal skin
  6. suit — clothes
  7. board — to get on
  8. chip — for betting
  9. suit — in cards
  10. stock — a soup base
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. chip — in a computer
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. hide — to keep secret
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. chip — to eat
  18. ball — a round shape
  19. suit — to fit
  20. ball — a dance
  21. hide — to keep secret
  22. board — a committee
  23. calf — of the leg
  24. calf — a young animal

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