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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 120 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.

Words on the sheet
468
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 · firm · bass · safe · rock · hand · cabinet · deal

  1. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  4. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  5. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  11. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  24. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — the instrument
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. hand — in cards
  4. firm — steady
  5. hand — part of the body
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. firm — decided
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. deal — an agreement
  11. bass — low music
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. deal — to handle
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. rock — music
  21. hand — help
  22. rock — a stone
  23. bass — the fish
  24. firm — a company

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