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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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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: chip · mark · lash · safe · temple · foot · face · drill

  1. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  3. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  4. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  5. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  6. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  13. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  14. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  15. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  16. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. drill — the tool
  3. drill — army training
  4. mark — a trace
  5. chip — to eat
  6. temple — side of the head
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. face — part of the head
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. chip — in a computer
  13. lash — an eyelash
  14. face — to point toward
  15. drill — a practice
  16. face — to confront
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. mark — a grade
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. chip — for betting
  24. foot — a measure

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