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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: temple · sharp · chip · rash · ruler · wake · safe · vault

  1. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  6. It's one o'clock ________________.
  7. Don't do anything ________________.
  8. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  12. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  13. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  14. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  20. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  23. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  24. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — side of the head
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. chip — to eat
  6. sharp — exactly
  7. rash — hasty
  8. sharp — with an edge
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. chip — in a computer
  12. rash — a series
  13. sharp — clever
  14. vault — a safe
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. wake — before a funeral
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. wake — a trail
  20. vault — an arched ceiling
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. vault — in gymnastics
  23. chip — for betting
  24. wake — to stop sleeping

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