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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: safe · calf · bowl · dip · bear · sharp · arm · wave

  1. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  2. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  3. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  4. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  5. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  6. It's one o'clock ________________.
  7. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  10. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  11. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  12. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  16. My father caught me by the ________________.
  17. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  18. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  19. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  20. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  21. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  22. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — with your hand
  2. sharp — clever
  3. bear — the animal
  4. dip — to dunk
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. sharp — exactly
  7. bear — to put up with
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. bowl — a football final
  10. sharp — with an edge
  11. dip — a sauce
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. dip — to sink
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. bowl — to roll
  18. wave — of the sea
  19. arm — a part of something
  20. wave — a sudden rise
  21. bowl — a dish
  22. bear — the animal
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. safe — a strongbox

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