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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
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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: wake · board · trunk · mouse · safe · net · mine · temple

  1. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  2. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  4. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  7. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  13. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  14. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  15. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  16. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  17. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  21. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  22. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. The elephant has a huge ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wake — a trail
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. board — a flat piece
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. wake — to stop sleeping
  7. mine — for digging
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. wake — before a funeral
  10. board — a committee
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. mine — belonging to me
  13. net — after costs
  14. net — in sport
  15. mine — an explosive
  16. board — to get on
  17. trunk — of a tree
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. temple — side of the head
  21. net — for catching
  22. trunk — of a car
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. trunk — of an elephant

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