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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.

Make a worksheet

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: mug · temple · fall · safe · present · rock · spell · fine

  1. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  8. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  14. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  19. How do you ________________ your surname?
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. present — there
  2. mug — a cup
  3. present — the time now
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. fall — the season
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. spell — a short time
  8. fall — to drop
  9. fine — all right
  10. mug — to rob
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. fine — a penalty
  14. spell — magic
  15. rock — music
  16. fine — high quality
  17. rock — a stone
  18. present — a gift
  19. spell — letters
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. fall — to drop
  24. mug — a face

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