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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.

Make a worksheet

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: kick · safe · calf · bulb · bear · mark · bound · land

  1. That was ________________ to happen.
  2. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  7. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  8. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  13. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  16. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. The light ________________ burned out.
  19. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  24. When are we going to ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. bound — certain
  2. bear — to put up with
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. land — a country
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. mark — a trace
  7. bear — the animal
  8. land — ground
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. kick — with a leg
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. kick — a thrill
  16. kick — in football
  17. bulb — for light
  18. bulb — for light
  19. bear — the animal
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. bound — obliged
  22. mark — a grade
  23. bound — tied together
  24. land — to come down

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