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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: can · object · fall · calf · stem · sharp · safe · nail

  1. The ________________ went through the wall.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  4. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  5. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  6. It's one o'clock ________________.
  7. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  8. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  9. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  13. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  17. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  20. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  21. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. can — a tin
  3. stem — of a plant
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. fall — the season
  6. sharp — exactly
  7. fall — to drop
  8. stem — to come from
  9. sharp — clever
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. can — a tin
  12. object — a thing
  13. calf — of the leg
  14. can — to be able to
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. sharp — with an edge
  17. object — to protest
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. fall — to drop
  20. stem — a stem cell
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. object — an aim

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