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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: rock · calf · cabinet · mug · squash · safe · jam · bay

  1. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. My mare is ________________ in color.
  9. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  12. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. What do you think of the new ________________?
  22. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  23. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  24. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — music
  2. mug — a cup
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. squash — the sport
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. bay — a horse colour
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. squash — the vegetable
  12. jam — in traffic
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. mug — to rob
  15. rock — a stone
  16. bay — to keep at bay
  17. mug — a face
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. squash — to crush
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. cabinet — a cupboard
  23. calf — of the leg
  24. bay — a part of the sea

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