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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 120 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
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: cap · squash · object · safe · temple · spell · dip · key

  1. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  9. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  10. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  11. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  12. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  15. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  16. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  19. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. How do you ________________ your surname?
  22. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  23. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. key — for a lock
  2. dip — to sink
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. temple — side of the head
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. key — the most important part
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. spell — magic
  9. object — an aim
  10. dip — to dunk
  11. squash — the vegetable
  12. object — a thing
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. dip — a sauce
  15. cap — of ice
  16. squash — to crush
  17. key — in music
  18. cap — a hat
  19. spell — a short time
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. spell — letters
  22. squash — the sport
  23. cap — a lid
  24. object — to protest

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