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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: safe · fan · key · temple · leaves · spring · calf · prune

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  12. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  20. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  23. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  24. Can you turn the ________________ on?

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. key — in music
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. key — the most important part
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. prune — to trim
  12. spring — of water
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. key — for a lock
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. spring — the season
  20. spring — a coil
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. prune — to trim
  23. prune — the fruit
  24. fan — to cool the air

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