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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.

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: temple · spring · root · mug · calf · firm · safe · lash

  1. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  2. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  15. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  16. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  19. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  20. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — side of the head
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. spring — a coil
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. mug — to rob
  9. firm — a company
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. lash — to lash out
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. root — of a word
  15. lash — a whip stroke
  16. root — of a plant
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. spring — the season
  19. spring — of water
  20. root — the cause
  21. mug — a cup
  22. mug — a face
  23. firm — decided
  24. firm — steady

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