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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.

Make a worksheet

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: mug · calf · can · spring · hand · safe · fine · bulb

  1. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  2. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  3. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  4. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. hand — part of the body
  2. spring — the season
  3. hand — help
  4. hand — in cards
  5. can — a tin
  6. mug — a face
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. can — to be able to
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. bulb — for light
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. spring — of water
  13. bulb — for light
  14. fine — a penalty
  15. fine — all right
  16. spring — a coil
  17. mug — a cup
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. can — a tin
  20. mug — to rob
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. fine — high quality

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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