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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: temple · safe · stick · object · mate · foot · patient · season

  1. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  5. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  6. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  7. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. When was this ________________ built?
  10. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  11. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  12. Have you found your soul ________________?
  13. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  14. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. Did you ________________ the meat?
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  20. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  21. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  22. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  23. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  24. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — side of the head
  2. object — a thing
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. mate — a friend
  6. stick — to attach or keep to
  7. foot — part of the body
  8. season — in sport
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. season — of the year
  11. mate — to breed
  12. mate — a partner
  13. object — to protest
  14. foot — a measure
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. season — to add flavour
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. patient — calm and waiting
  20. foot — the bottom
  21. patient — a sick person
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. object — an aim
  24. patient — a sick person

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