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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.

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: net · can · rest · current · safe · foot · temple · leaves

  1. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  5. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  14. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. foot — a measure
  3. current — happening now
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. foot — part of the body
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. foot — the bottom
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. net — for catching
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. net — after costs
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. rest — what's left
  14. rest — what's left
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. rest — a break
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. net — in sport
  20. current — of water
  21. can — a tin
  22. can — a tin
  23. can — to be able to
  24. current — electric

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