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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: march · safe · nail · firm · deal · calf · leaves · chair

  1. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  8. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  9. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  10. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  16. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  17. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  24. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.

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

Answer key

  1. march — the month
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. march — music
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. chair — to sit on
  8. firm — a company
  9. deal — to handle
  10. nail — on a finger
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. chair — a leader
  16. firm — decided
  17. march — the month
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. chair — a professorship
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. firm — steady
  24. nail — for a hammer

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