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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: calf · temple · object · key · stem · scale · straw · nail

  1. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  2. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  3. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  6. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  7. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  15. The ________________ went through the wall.
  16. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  17. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  18. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  23. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — to come from
  2. stem — a stem cell
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. scale — size or range
  6. straw — to clutch at straws
  7. object — an aim
  8. key — for a lock
  9. object — a thing
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. calf — of the leg
  13. key — the most important part
  14. stem — of a plant
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. object — to protest
  17. straw — dry grass
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. scale — for weighing
  21. key — in music
  22. straw — a straw man
  23. scale — in music
  24. nail — on a finger

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