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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.

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: temple · safe · trunk · snap · can · mug · spell · foot

  1. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  5. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  8. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  9. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  12. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  16. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. How do you ________________ your surname?
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  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. snap — to click
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. can — to be able to
  4. snap — to snap out of it
  5. foot — the bottom
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. spell — a short time
  8. spell — magic
  9. foot — part of the body
  10. can — a tin
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. trunk — of an elephant
  13. can — a tin
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. snap — to speak sharply
  16. trunk — of a car
  17. mug — a cup
  18. spell — letters
  19. foot — a measure
  20. mug — to rob
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. mug — a face
  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