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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: stick · mug · kid · kick · pass · safe · temple · craft

  1. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  11. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  14. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  15. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  16. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  23. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  24. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.

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

Answer key

  1. craft — a skill
  2. mug — a cup
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. mug — to rob
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. pass — a permit
  10. kid — child
  11. kick — in football
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  14. craft — boats
  15. kick — with a leg
  16. kid — to tease
  17. mug — a face
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. kick — a thrill
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. stick — to attach or keep to
  23. craft — a handicraft
  24. temple — side of the head

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