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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 116 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: snap · face · safe · stand · bound · ball · calf · object

  1. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. That was ________________ to happen.
  5. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  6. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  7. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  10. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  11. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  15. The King held a masked ________________.
  16. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  17. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  18. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  19. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. bound — certain
  5. object — an aim
  6. bound — obliged
  7. snap — to snap out of it
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. object — a thing
  10. snap — to click
  11. snap — to speak sharply
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. stand — to bear
  14. ball — a round shape
  15. ball — a dance
  16. object — to protest
  17. face — to confront
  18. stand — on your feet
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. face — to point toward
  22. bound — tied together
  23. face — part of the head
  24. ball — a great time

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