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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 · hand · cabinet · hide · ruler · wake · suit · safe

  1. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  13. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  14. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  15. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  16. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  22. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. suit — in cards
  3. hide — animal skin
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. hand — help
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. wake — before a funeral
  13. hand — in cards
  14. hand — part of the body
  15. wake — to stop sleeping
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. suit — to fit
  21. wake — a trail
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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