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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: calf · charge · safe · wound · sharp · bowl · season · rest

  1. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  2. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. It's one o'clock ________________.
  9. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  10. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  11. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  15. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  16. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  17. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  18. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  19. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  20. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  21. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  22. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. Did you ________________ the meat?

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

Answer key

  1. wound — an injury
  2. sharp — with an edge
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. wound — past of 'wind'
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. sharp — exactly
  9. rest — a break
  10. rest — what's left
  11. bowl — to roll
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. season — of the year
  15. season — in sport
  16. charge — electricity
  17. bowl — a dish
  18. wound — an injury
  19. bowl — a football final
  20. charge — in control
  21. sharp — clever
  22. rest — what's left
  23. charge — a price
  24. season — to add flavour

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