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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.

Make a worksheet

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. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  15. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  20. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — low music
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. bass — the fish
  4. charge — in control
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. suit — to fit
  7. bowl — a dish
  8. mug — a cup
  9. fine — all right
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. suit — in cards
  12. charge — electricity
  13. charge — a price
  14. temple — side of the head
  15. fine — a penalty
  16. mug — to rob
  17. bowl — a football final
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. bowl — to roll
  20. fine — high quality
  21. suit — clothes
  22. mug — a face
  23. bass — the instrument
  24. ruler — for measuring

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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