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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
468
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: arm · bear · nail · staff · mouse · current · fork · calf

  1. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  2. The ________________ went through the wall.
  3. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. My father caught me by the ________________.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  10. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  11. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  12. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  13. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  16. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  17. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  18. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  21. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  24. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. arm — part of the body
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. staff — a stick
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. arm — a part of something
  10. fork — a garden tool
  11. staff — employees
  12. bear — the animal
  13. staff — employees
  14. current — happening now
  15. fork — in a road
  16. bear — the animal
  17. nail — on a finger
  18. bear — to put up with
  19. current — electric
  20. calf — of the leg
  21. fork — to eat with
  22. current — of water
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. mouse — the animal

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