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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: roll · squash · deal · cabinet · pop · safe · calf · cue

  1. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  7. You don't need to ________________ round.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. We're almost out of ________________.
  12. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  13. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  14. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  15. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  16. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  17. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  18. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  19. We're on a ________________ here.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  22. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  23. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — a list
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. deal — to handle
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. cue — a signal
  7. pop — to visit
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. cue — a hint
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. pop — soda
  12. deal — an agreement
  13. cue — for pool
  14. squash — to crush
  15. pop — music
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. roll — a cake
  19. roll — on a roll
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. squash — the sport
  22. deal — a big deal
  23. squash — the vegetable
  24. safe — a strongbox

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