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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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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: leaves · stick · bore · race · safe · cabinet · temple · branch

  1. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  4. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  7. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  10. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  13. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  14. What do you think of the new ________________?
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  23. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  24. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.

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

Answer key

  1. race — humankind
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. race — the arms race
  4. stick — to attach or keep to
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. race — a contest
  8. bore — to drill
  9. branch — of a bank
  10. branch — of a tree
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. stick — a piece of wood
  13. branch — a division
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. bore — to tire
  23. temple — side of the head
  24. bore — gave birth

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