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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.

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: safe · kick · rush · calf · coach · mug · temple · mouse

  1. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  2. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  5. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  6. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  7. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  8. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  9. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  13. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  14. Have you met the new head ________________?
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  22. When was this ________________ built?
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — side of the head
  2. rush — hurry
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. rush — to hurry
  5. kick — with a leg
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. mug — to rob
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. coach — pulled by horses
  13. kick — in football
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. mug — a face
  16. calf — of the leg
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. kick — a thrill
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. mug — a cup
  21. mouse — for a computer
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. mouse — the animal

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