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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. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  6. My mare is ________________ in color.
  7. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  8. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  11. He was locked up in a ________________.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  15. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  18. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  19. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  20. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  21. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  22. I've got to change the light ________________.
  23. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  24. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cell — in biology
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. dip — to sink
  6. bay — a horse colour
  7. dip — to dunk
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. suit — clothes
  10. bank — for money
  11. cell — in a prison
  12. suit — in cards
  13. bulb — for light
  14. dip — a sauce
  15. net — in sport
  16. suit — to fit
  17. bank — for money
  18. net — after costs
  19. net — for catching
  20. bay — a part of the sea
  21. bay — to keep at bay
  22. bulb — for light
  23. cell — a phone
  24. bank — of a river

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