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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.

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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 · rush · bore · field · ball · safe · root · vault

  1. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  4. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  5. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  6. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  7. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  8. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  9. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  12. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  17. The King held a masked ________________.
  18. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  19. That must've been a ________________.
  20. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  21. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  22. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  23. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. bore — gave birth
  4. field — for sport
  5. field — farmland
  6. bore — to tire
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. ball — a great time
  9. bore — to drill
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. vault — an arched ceiling
  12. vault — in gymnastics
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. rush — to hurry
  15. rush — hurry
  16. vault — a safe
  17. ball — a dance
  18. field — a subject
  19. rush — a thrill
  20. temple — side of the head
  21. root — of a word
  22. root — the cause
  23. root — of a plant
  24. safe — out of danger

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