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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.

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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: calf · chip · key · patient · rock · season · can · nail

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  7. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  10. Did you ________________ the meat?
  11. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  16. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  17. The ________________ went through the wall.
  18. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  24. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. key — the most important part
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. season — in sport
  5. can — a tin
  6. calf — of the leg
  7. chip — to eat
  8. can — to be able to
  9. chip — in a computer
  10. season — to add flavour
  11. patient — a sick person
  12. can — a tin
  13. chip — for betting
  14. rock — music
  15. patient — a sick person
  16. patient — calm and waiting
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. key — in music
  20. key — for a lock
  21. season — of the year
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. nail — for a hammer

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