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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.

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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: firm · cue · temple · root · nail · straw · bay · safe

  1. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  2. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  3. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  4. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  5. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  6. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  7. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. When was this ________________ built?
  10. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  11. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. The ________________ went through the wall.
  23. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  24. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — decided
  2. nail — on a finger
  3. firm — steady
  4. root — of a plant
  5. straw — a straw man
  6. straw — to clutch at straws
  7. cue — a hint
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. root — the cause
  11. cue — for pool
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. firm — a company
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. root — of a word
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. straw — dry grass
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. cue — a signal
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. bay — to keep at bay
  24. bay — a part of the sea

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