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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: file · can · bank · deal · staff · calf · safe · field

  1. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  6. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  15. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  16. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  17. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  18. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  22. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  23. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  24. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a line of people
  2. can — a tin
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. can — to be able to
  5. staff — employees
  6. field — for sport
  7. can — a tin
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. bank — for money
  12. bank — of a river
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. staff — a stick
  15. staff — employees
  16. file — a tool
  17. deal — a big deal
  18. field — farmland
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. bank — for money
  22. deal — to handle
  23. field — a subject
  24. file — a document

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