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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.

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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: calf · patient · stock · arm · safe · stem · nail · can

  1. The ________________ market has crashed.
  2. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  3. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  4. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  11. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  12. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  16. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  17. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. My father caught me by the ________________.
  20. The ________________ went through the wall.
  21. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  22. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  23. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  24. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.

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

Answer key

  1. stock — shares
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. calf — of the leg
  4. stem — to come from
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. nail — on a finger
  8. can — a tin
  9. can — to be able to
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. arm — a part of something
  12. stem — a stem cell
  13. can — a tin
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. stem — of a plant
  16. stock — goods
  17. patient — calm and waiting
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. arm — part of the body
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. stock — a soup base
  24. nail — for a hammer

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