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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
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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: safe · lash · spell · vault · pass · calf · can · temple

  1. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  2. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  11. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. How do you ________________ your surname?
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  23. When was this ________________ built?
  24. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — a safe
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. can — a tin
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. can — a tin
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. spell — a short time
  11. vault — an arched ceiling
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. spell — letters
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. temple — side of the head
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. pass — a permit
  19. can — to be able to
  20. spell — magic
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. lash — an eyelash
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. vault — in gymnastics

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