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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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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: roll · key · dip · season · wind · lash · safe · temple

  1. When was this ________________ built?
  2. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  3. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  4. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  5. Did you ________________ the meat?
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  10. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  13. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  14. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  17. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  18. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  19. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  20. This piece is in a major ________________.
  21. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  22. We're on a ________________ here.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. temple — a place of worship
  2. wind — to turn a key
  3. lash — to lash out
  4. key — the most important part
  5. season — to add flavour
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. season — of the year
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. season — in sport
  10. wind — moving air
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. roll — a list
  13. dip — to dunk
  14. dip — a sauce
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. lash — a whip stroke
  17. wind — moving air
  18. dip — to sink
  19. lash — an eyelash
  20. key — in music
  21. roll — a cake
  22. roll — on a roll
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. key — for a lock

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