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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: dip · mouse · temple · calf · date · safe · bay · chair

  1. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  4. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. When was this ________________ built?
  7. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  8. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  9. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  10. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  11. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  12. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  13. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  14. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. My mare is ________________ in color.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  20. Have you settled on a ________________?
  21. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  24. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. chair — a leader
  4. chair — a professorship
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. mouse — for a computer
  9. date — the fruit
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. dip — to sink
  13. chair — to sit on
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. bay — a horse colour
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. bay — a part of the sea
  20. date — on the calendar
  21. dip — to dunk
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. date — on the calendar
  24. dip — a sauce

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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