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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 120 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.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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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. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  3. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  4. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  5. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  12. The ________________ went through the wall.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. Did you ________________ the button?
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  23. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  24. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — side of the head
  2. nail — on a finger
  3. press — a publisher
  4. press — newspapers
  5. fork — to eat with
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. fork — in a road
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. craft — a skill
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. craft — boats
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. suit — to fit
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. fork — a garden tool
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. suit — in cards
  19. press — to push
  20. suit — clothes
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. craft — a handicraft
  23. bay — a part of the sea
  24. bay — to keep at bay

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