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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. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  2. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  3. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  4. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  5. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  6. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  7. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  8. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  11. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  12. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  13. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  14. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  15. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  16. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. He is an ace ________________.
  19. When was this ________________ built?
  20. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  21. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  22. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  23. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  24. There's a computer ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. hide — animal skin
  2. chip — for betting
  3. track — a path
  4. chip — to eat
  5. bear — the animal
  6. bowl — a football final
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. pit — in a race
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. bear — to put up with
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. bowl — to roll
  14. track — to keep track
  15. pit — a fruit stone
  16. track — a song
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. pitcher — in baseball
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. bear — the animal
  21. bowl — a dish
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. pit — a hole
  24. chip — in a computer

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