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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: file · fan · safe · season · bay · calf · lean · face

  1. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  3. Did you ________________ the meat?
  4. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  5. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  12. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  13. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  14. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  15. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  16. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  17. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  18. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  21. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  22. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  23. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  24. My mare is ________________ in color.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. file — a tool
  3. season — to add flavour
  4. fan — to cool the air
  5. lean — to rest against
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. bay — to keep at bay
  12. bay — a part of the sea
  13. lean — thin
  14. face — to confront
  15. lean — to bend
  16. face — part of the head
  17. file — a line of people
  18. file — a document
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. face — to point toward
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. season — in sport
  23. season — of the year
  24. bay — a horse colour

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