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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: safe · calf · leaves · suit · rock · cue · game · file

  1. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  6. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  18. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  19. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  20. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  21. That was a fun ________________.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. game — a kind of play
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. rock — a stone
  5. cue — for pool
  6. cue — a hint
  7. suit — to fit
  8. file — a document
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. suit — clothes
  13. suit — in cards
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. game — wild animals
  16. rock — music
  17. rock — to move gently
  18. file — a line of people
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. file — a tool
  21. game — a match
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. cue — a signal

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