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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
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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: safe · ruler · lie · wound · craft · bulb · trunk · calf

  1. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  2. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  13. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  14. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  17. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  18. The light ________________ burned out.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  24. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.

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

Answer key

  1. craft — a skill
  2. wound — an injury
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. bulb — for light
  12. craft — a handicraft
  13. trunk — of an elephant
  14. wound — past of 'wind'
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. trunk — of a car
  17. wound — an injury
  18. bulb — for light
  19. lie — to recline
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. craft — boats
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. trunk — of a tree

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