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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. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  2. That was ________________ to happen.
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  19. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  20. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  21. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  22. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  23. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — side of the head
  2. bound — certain
  3. bound — tied together
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. toast — bread
  7. mug — to rob
  8. vault — a safe
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. mug — a face
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. bound — obliged
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. toast — a drink to someone
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. vault — in gymnastics
  19. stick — to attach or keep to
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. jam — in traffic
  22. vault — an arched ceiling
  23. jam — a tight spot
  24. mug — a cup

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