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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: ball · nail · fine · safe · temple · rash · leaves · pound

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  5. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  6. Don't do anything ________________.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. The ________________ went through the wall.
  10. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  11. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  23. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  24. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. nail — on a finger
  3. rash — a series
  4. pound — a weight
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. rash — hasty
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. ball — a great time
  11. rash — on the skin
  12. fine — all right
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. ball — a round shape
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. pound — for dogs
  19. fine — high quality
  20. temple — side of the head
  21. ball — a dance
  22. fine — a penalty
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. pound — to hit hard

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