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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: mine · safe · face · temple · arm · pass · spell · season

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  3. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  4. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  5. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  6. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  7. How do you ________________ your surname?
  8. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  9. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  10. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  15. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. My father caught me by the ________________.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  23. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  24. When was this ________________ built?

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. spell — magic
  4. season — in sport
  5. face — to point toward
  6. mine — belonging to me
  7. spell — letters
  8. arm — part of the body
  9. face — part of the head
  10. season — of the year
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. spell — a short time
  15. mine — an explosive
  16. pass — a permit
  17. face — to confront
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. arm — part of the body
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. arm — a part of something
  23. mine — for digging
  24. temple — a place of worship

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