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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.

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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: calf · safe · foot · nail · chip · mouse · rest · plane

  1. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  2. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  3. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  4. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  5. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  10. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  14. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  17. The ________________ went through the wall.
  18. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  21. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  22. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  23. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. rest — what's left
  2. nail — on a finger
  3. mouse — for a computer
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. rest — a break
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. chip — in a computer
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. chip — to eat
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. chip — for betting
  14. foot — a measure
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. foot — part of the body
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. plane — a tool
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. foot — the bottom
  21. calf — of the leg
  22. rest — what's left
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. plane — an aircraft

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