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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: can · rock · safe · toast · temple · board · plane · racket

  1. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  2. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  8. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  11. When was this ________________ built?
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  19. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  24. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — music
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. toast — bread
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. plane — in geometry
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. rock — a stone
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. can — to be able to
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. can — a tin
  17. can — a tin
  18. racket — a loud noise
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. plane — a tool
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. board — a committee
  24. board — to get on

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