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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
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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 · net · foot · craft · root · safe · object · band

  1. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  2. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  3. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  7. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  8. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  9. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  10. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  13. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  18. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  19. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  23. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  24. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.

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

Answer key

  1. net — after costs
  2. net — in sport
  3. net — for catching
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. root — the cause
  6. root — of a plant
  7. root — of a word
  8. temple — side of the head
  9. craft — a skill
  10. band — a ring
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. craft — a handicraft
  13. band — a music group
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. object — to protest
  16. foot — a measure
  17. foot — part of the body
  18. object — a thing
  19. band — a rubber band
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. object — an aim
  23. foot — the bottom
  24. craft — boats

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