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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: roll · safe · cabinet · date · racket · perch · temple · key

  1. Have you settled on a ________________?
  2. We're on a ________________ here.
  3. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  4. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  10. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  11. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  20. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  21. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  22. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  23. What do you think of the new ________________?
  24. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. date — on the calendar
  2. roll — on a roll
  3. roll — a list
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. roll — a cake
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. date — on the calendar
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. key — the most important part
  14. key — for a lock
  15. racket — for tennis
  16. key — in music
  17. date — the fruit
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. perch — the fish
  21. temple — side of the head
  22. cabinet — a cupboard
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. racket — a loud noise

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