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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.

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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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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: suit · temple · coach · fall · charge · foot · safe · squash

  1. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  2. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  7. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. Have you met the new head ________________?
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  12. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  13. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  14. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  15. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  16. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — to crush
  2. fall — the season
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. foot — the bottom
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. squash — the vegetable
  7. temple — side of the head
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. suit — clothes
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. fall — to drop
  13. charge — electricity
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. squash — the sport
  16. coach — pulled by horses
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. foot — a measure
  19. suit — to fit
  20. suit — in cards
  21. charge — a price
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. charge — in control
  24. fall — to drop

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