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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.

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 · coach · trunk · board · ruler · lie · spring · safe

  1. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  5. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  6. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  7. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  8. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  14. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  15. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  16. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. Have you met the new head ________________?
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. When was this ________________ built?
  23. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. spring — a coil
  5. spring — of water
  6. trunk — of a car
  7. spring — the season
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. board — to get on
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. trunk — of a tree
  17. board — a committee
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. lie — to recline
  20. trunk — of an elephant
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. coach — pulled by horses
  24. ruler — for measuring

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