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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
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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: calf · cabinet · bay · safe · bowl · bound · chip · mouse

  1. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  2. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  3. That was ________________ to happen.
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  6. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  10. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  11. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  24. My mare is ________________ in color.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — to eat
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. bound — certain
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. bowl — a football final
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. bound — tied together
  10. bay — to keep at bay
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. bowl — a dish
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. bound — obliged
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. bowl — to roll
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. chip — in a computer
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. chip — for betting
  24. bay — a horse colour

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