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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: calf · toast · dip · bore · chip · safe · bound · lean

  1. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  6. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  9. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  10. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  14. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  15. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  19. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  20. That was ________________ to happen.
  21. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  22. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  23. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. bore — to drill
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. bore — gave birth
  6. toast — a drink to someone
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. lean — to bend
  9. bore — to tire
  10. dip — a sauce
  11. toast — bread
  12. bound — obliged
  13. lean — thin
  14. lean — to rest against
  15. chip — in a computer
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. dip — to dunk
  19. chip — for betting
  20. bound — certain
  21. bound — tied together
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. chip — to eat
  24. safe — out of danger

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