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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  8. The King held a masked ________________.
  9. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  10. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. Have you found your soul ________________?
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  20. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  21. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  22. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. cue — a hint
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. ball — a round shape
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. mate — to breed
  8. ball — a dance
  9. net — in sport
  10. net — after costs
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. net — for catching
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. cue — a signal
  15. ball — a great time
  16. foot — a measure
  17. mate — a partner
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. cue — for pool
  20. foot — part of the body
  21. mate — a friend
  22. foot — the bottom
  23. plane — a tool
  24. temple — a place of worship

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