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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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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: foot · mug · safe · bank · lash · temple · suit · stem

  1. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  6. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  7. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  8. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  9. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  10. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  15. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  16. When was this ________________ built?
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. stem — a stem cell
  3. mug — to rob
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. bank — for money
  6. bank — of a river
  7. lash — to lash out
  8. temple — side of the head
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. bank — for money
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. foot — the bottom
  13. mug — a cup
  14. stem — of a plant
  15. foot — part of the body
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. suit — clothes
  18. stem — to come from
  19. foot — a measure
  20. suit — to fit
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. suit — in cards

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