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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: mark · cue · calf · date · current · plane · safe · dip

  1. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. Have you settled on a ________________?
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. The ________________ took off on time.
  12. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  13. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  14. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  17. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  23. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. current — of water
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. mark — a trace
  6. current — happening now
  7. mark — a grade
  8. date — on the calendar
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. plane — a tool
  11. plane — an aircraft
  12. dip — a sauce
  13. cue — a hint
  14. date — on the calendar
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. date — the fruit
  17. cue — a signal
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. dip — to sink
  21. current — electric
  22. dip — to dunk
  23. plane — in geometry
  24. safe — out of danger

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