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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 120 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: current · firm · wave · hide · safe · fine · chip · calf

  1. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  3. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  4. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  5. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  6. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  12. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  13. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  14. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  17. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  18. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  23. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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. hide — to keep secret
  4. fine — a penalty
  5. fine — high quality
  6. chip — for betting
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. firm — decided
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. current — electric
  11. wave — of the sea
  12. wave — a sudden rise
  13. firm — a company
  14. chip — in a computer
  15. fine — all right
  16. chip — to eat
  17. wave — with your hand
  18. hide — animal skin
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. current — of water
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. current — happening now
  24. firm — steady

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