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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.

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 · staff · temple · nail · arm · foot · leaves · prune

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  7. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. The ________________ went through the wall.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  12. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  13. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  14. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  15. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  21. My father caught me by the ________________.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  24. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. staff — a stick
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. staff — employees
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. staff — employees
  13. nail — on a finger
  14. foot — part of the body
  15. foot — the bottom
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. arm — a part of something
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. foot — a measure
  20. prune — to trim
  21. arm — part of the body
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. prune — the fruit
  24. prune — to trim

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