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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. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  4. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  5. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  6. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  9. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  10. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  11. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  14. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  17. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  20. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  21. When was this ________________ built?
  22. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  23. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  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 — side of the head
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. lie — to recline
  4. trunk — of a car
  5. chair — a leader
  6. object — a thing
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. trunk — of an elephant
  9. track — to keep track
  10. object — an aim
  11. hide — to keep secret
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. hide — animal skin
  14. track — a song
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. chair — a professorship
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. track — a path
  20. object — to protest
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. jam — a tight spot
  23. chair — to sit on
  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