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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: leaves · safe · fork · swing · calf · current · jam · bark

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  6. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  12. David sat on the ________________.
  13. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  16. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. bark — of a tree
  4. current — of water
  5. bark — a dog's sound
  6. fork — to eat with
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. jam — a tight spot
  10. current — happening now
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. swing — to play on
  13. bark — to shout
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. fork — a garden tool
  16. swing — music
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. swing — in golf
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. fork — in a road
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. current — electric
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  24. leaves — lets stay

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