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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. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. The King held a masked ________________.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  10. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  11. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  12. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  13. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  16. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  17. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  18. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  19. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. When was this ________________ built?
  22. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  23. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  24. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. plane — a tool
  7. ball — a dance
  8. cue — for pool
  9. mine — belonging to me
  10. cue — a signal
  11. object — an aim
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. object — a thing
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. mine — for digging
  16. bank — for money
  17. ball — a great time
  18. bank — for money
  19. bank — of a river
  20. cue — a hint
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. object — to protest
  23. mine — an explosive
  24. temple — side of the head

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