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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. When was this ________________ built?
  2. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Did you ________________ the meat?
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  7. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  10. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  11. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  19. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  20. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  24. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — a place of worship
  2. toast — the most admired
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. season — to add flavour
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. band — a music group
  7. temple — side of the head
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. toast — bread
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. season — of the year
  12. can — a tin
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. file — a document
  16. can — a tin
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. file — a line of people
  19. file — a tool
  20. band — a ring
  21. can — to be able to
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. band — a rubber band
  24. season — in sport

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