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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 120 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 · calf · object · can · branch · hide · charge · ball

  1. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  5. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  8. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  15. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  16. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  19. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  22. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. The King held a masked ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. branch — of a bank
  3. can — to be able to
  4. object — a thing
  5. object — to protest
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. object — an aim
  8. ball — a great time
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. hide — to keep secret
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. can — a tin
  14. ball — a round shape
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. hide — animal skin
  17. can — a tin
  18. calf — of the leg
  19. charge — in control
  20. charge — a price
  21. branch — a division
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. charge — electricity
  24. ball — a dance

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