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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  7. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  8. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. She's very handy with a ________________.
  11. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  12. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  13. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  16. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  17. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  20. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  21. That was ________________ to happen.
  22. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  23. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  24. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. rule — government
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. stick — to attach or keep to
  8. foot — a measure
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. saw — the tool
  11. track — to keep track
  12. foot — part of the body
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. board — a committee
  15. track — a path
  16. bound — obliged
  17. rule — to rule out
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. track — a song
  20. bound — tied together
  21. bound — certain
  22. rule — a law
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. board — to get on

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