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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: coach · net · stick · calf · rash · temple · nail · safe

  1. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  5. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  6. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  7. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  8. Have you met the new head ________________?
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  14. Don't do anything ________________.
  15. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  16. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  17. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  18. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  19. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  20. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  23. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. rash — a series
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. coach — pulled by horses
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. nail — on a finger
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. rash — hasty
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. net — for catching
  17. rash — on the skin
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. net — in sport
  20. stick — to attach or keep to
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. calf — of the leg
  23. net — after costs
  24. safe — out of danger

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