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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.

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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: fine · safe · net · can · saw · stand · season · temple

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  3. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  4. She's very handy with a ________________.
  5. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  6. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  7. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  8. Did you ________________ the meat?
  9. He works in a ________________ mill.
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  13. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. net — after costs
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. saw — the tool
  5. season — in sport
  6. stand — on your feet
  7. net — in sport
  8. season — to add flavour
  9. saw — the tool
  10. fine — all right
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. season — of the year
  13. stand — for spectators
  14. can — to be able to
  15. net — for catching
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. stand — to bear
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. saw — past of 'see'
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. fine — high quality
  22. can — a tin
  23. can — a tin
  24. temple — side of the head

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