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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 120 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: present · nail · wake · staff · calf · chip · bowl · safe

  1. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  5. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  6. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  7. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  13. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  14. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  15. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  16. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  17. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  18. The ________________ went through the wall.
  19. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  23. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  24. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. chip — in a computer
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. present — a gift
  5. wake — before a funeral
  6. present — the time now
  7. present — there
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. bowl — a football final
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. wake — to stop sleeping
  13. staff — employees
  14. staff — employees
  15. chip — for betting
  16. bowl — a dish
  17. nail — on a finger
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. wake — a trail
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. staff — a stick
  23. bowl — to roll
  24. chip — to eat

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