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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: stem · bear · lash · calf · bound · mug · safe · scale

  1. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  6. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  7. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  8. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  9. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  10. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  16. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  17. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  18. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  19. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. That was ________________ to happen.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. mug — to rob
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. stem — a stem cell
  6. scale — size or range
  7. bear — the animal
  8. scale — in music
  9. mug — a face
  10. stem — of a plant
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. bear — to put up with
  13. mug — a cup
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. lash — an eyelash
  16. bear — the animal
  17. scale — for weighing
  18. stem — to come from
  19. lash — to lash out
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. bound — obliged
  22. bound — tied together
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. bound — certain

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