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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. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  3. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  4. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. I cannot shed a ________________ for that horrible man.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. Drying a ________________ is more honorable than shedding torrents of blood.
  19. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  20. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  21. My mare is ________________ in color.
  22. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  23. It is only in accepting others that we can ________________ down our own barriers.
  24. Would you like some apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. temple — a place of worship
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. board — a flat piece
  4. board — a committee
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. tear — from crying
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. bulb — for light
  10. chair — to sit on
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. chair — a professorship
  13. bulb — for light
  14. bay — a part of the sea
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. tear — from crying
  19. board — to get on
  20. chair — a leader
  21. bay — a horse colour
  22. bulb — of a plant
  23. tear — to rip
  24. jam — to spread on bread

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