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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 · fall · suit · prune · object · wake · season · safe

  1. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. Did you ________________ the meat?
  6. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  7. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  8. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  9. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  10. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  17. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  22. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. object — a thing
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. prune — the fruit
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. season — to add flavour
  6. wake — to stop sleeping
  7. season — of the year
  8. object — to protest
  9. prune — to trim
  10. wake — before a funeral
  11. suit — to fit
  12. calf — of the leg
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. fall — to drop
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. object — an aim
  17. wake — a trail
  18. season — in sport
  19. fall — to drop
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. prune — to trim
  22. fall — the season
  23. suit — clothes
  24. suit — in cards

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