Vocabulary Worksheet · Grades 3–5
Multiple Meaning Words Worksheet
A printable vocabulary worksheet for grades 3-5 that builds context-driven word reading. Students read twelve sentences across two sections, each with a target word printed in capital letters, and write the meaning of the word as it is used in that sentence. A complete answer key with sample meanings is included.
Subject
Vocabulary
Grades
Grades 3–5
Skill Focus
Multiple Meaning Words, word meanings
Lesson Length
20 minutes
Lesson Overview
About this worksheet
Many of the most common words in English have more than one meaning. This worksheet helps students slow down and use the rest of the sentence as a guide instead of grabbing the first definition that comes to mind.
Section A pairs sentences for the same word so students can see two different meanings side by side: bat (animal vs. baseball stick), light (not heavy vs. brightness), trunk (elephant’s nose vs. car storage), and wave (ocean wave vs. hand wave). Section B adds two more multiple-meaning words: rose (flower vs. past tense of rise) and pen (writing tool vs. animal enclosure).
The reference box at the top of page 1 defines multiple meaning words and shows two example pairs (bark and spring) in context. Page 2 is a compact two-column answer key with sample meanings; any reasonable wording counts as correct.
How to Use This Lesson
Read the reference box aloud and act out each meaning of bark and spring so students hear how context decides.
Work the first two items of Section A together; they share the same target word (BAT) so students can see how context flips the meaning.
Have students complete the rest of Section A and all of Section B independently.
Use the answer key on page 2 for self-check or aide spot-check; accept any reasonable wording.
Pair with the Context Clues Vocabulary Worksheet and the Homophones Worksheet for additional context-driven word work.
Printable Resource
A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.
Full Member Resource · Printable PDF · 2 pages · Answer Key
Multiple Meaning Words Worksheet
A printable vocabulary worksheet for grades 3-5 that builds context-driven word reading. Students read twelve sentences across two sections, each with a target word printed in capital letters, and write the meaning of the word as it is used in that sentence. A complete answer key with sample meanings is included.
For Teachers
Teaching this? Here is the full lesson plan
Multiple-Meaning Words: One Word, More Than One Meaning — a complete 45-minute lesson plan for Grades 3-5: objectives, warm-up, direct instruction, guided and independent practice, assessment, and differentiation. Free to read, no sign-in required. This resource is one of the student materials it uses.
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Want teaching strategies for this lesson?
Read: Teaching Multiple-Meaning Words
How to teach students to let the sentence decide a word’s meaning, so a familiar word with a new meaning stops derailing comprehension.