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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.

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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: plane · fan · foot · safe · snap · mouse · firm · temple

  1. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  4. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  5. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  6. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  9. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  22. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. fan — to cool the air
  5. snap — to snap out of it
  6. firm — steady
  7. plane — a tool
  8. mouse — for a computer
  9. snap — to speak sharply
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. firm — decided
  13. foot — a measure
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. snap — to click
  22. firm — a company
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. temple — a place of worship

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