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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: safe · branch · suit · fine · lean · dip · calf · nail

  1. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  5. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  6. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  7. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  8. The ________________ went through the wall.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  13. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  14. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  18. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  21. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. dip — to dunk
  5. dip — a sauce
  6. fine — high quality
  7. lean — thin
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. suit — clothes
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. dip — to sink
  13. branch — a division
  14. nail — on a finger
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. suit — to fit
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. lean — to rest against
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. branch — of a tree
  21. branch — of a bank
  22. suit — in cards
  23. lean — to bend
  24. fine — all right

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