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

Word bank: safe · stick · mate · temple · bowl · jam · fan · bay

  1. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  2. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  18. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  19. Have you found your soul ________________?
  20. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — in traffic
  2. jam — a tight spot
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. bay — a part of the sea
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. bowl — a dish
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. stick — to attach or keep to
  18. bowl — a football final
  19. mate — a partner
  20. bowl — to roll
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. mate — a friend
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. mate — to breed

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