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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: fork · stick · jam · safe · calf · current · coach · straw

  1. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  2. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  8. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  11. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  12. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  13. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  18. Have you met the new head ________________?
  19. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?

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

Answer key

  1. current — of water
  2. straw — a straw man
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. fork — in a road
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. straw — to clutch at straws
  8. stick — to attach or keep to
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. fork — a garden tool
  14. current — happening now
  15. jam — in traffic
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. straw — dry grass
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. fork — to eat with
  20. current — electric
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. coach — pulled by horses

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