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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: spell · jam · saw · safe · can · dip · calf · charge

  1. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  6. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  7. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  8. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  13. How do you ________________ your surname?
  14. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  15. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. She's very handy with a ________________.
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. He works in a ________________ mill.
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. He had ________________ pain while walking.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — a short time
  2. can — to be able to
  3. can — a tin
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. jam — a tight spot
  6. charge — electricity
  7. dip — a sauce
  8. dip — to dunk
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. spell — magic
  13. spell — letters
  14. dip — to sink
  15. charge — in control
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. saw — the tool
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. charge — a price
  22. saw — the tool
  23. can — a tin
  24. calf — of the leg

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