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

  1. That was ________________ to happen.
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  5. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  6. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  7. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  8. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  9. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  10. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  16. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — certain
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. bulb — for light
  4. bank — for money
  5. track — to keep track
  6. track — a song
  7. mouse — for a computer
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. mark — a grade
  10. bank — of a river
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. bank — for money
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. bulb — for light
  15. track — a path
  16. bound — obliged
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. bound — tied together
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. mark — a trace

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