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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 · racket · board · ball · chip · lean · plane

  1. The King held a masked ________________.
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  9. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  14. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  17. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  18. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  19. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  22. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  23. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  24. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a dance
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. chip — in a computer
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. board — to get on
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. racket — for tennis
  9. board — a committee
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. lean — to bend
  14. lean — thin
  15. chip — to eat
  16. ball — a great time
  17. chip — for betting
  18. racket — a loud noise
  19. plane — a tool
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. lean — to rest against
  22. racket — for tennis
  23. plane — in geometry
  24. calf — a young 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