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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.

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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 smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  7. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  8. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  9. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  10. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  16. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  19. My mare is ________________ in color.
  20. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  23. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  24. When was this ________________ built?

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. bark — of a tree
  5. cue — a hint
  6. bark — a dog's sound
  7. club — for dancing
  8. club — a group
  9. shower — a meteor shower
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. cue — a signal
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. club — for golf
  14. stand — to bear
  15. shower — rain
  16. bay — a part of the sea
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. stand — on your feet
  19. bay — a horse colour
  20. bark — to shout
  21. cue — for pool
  22. shower — to wash
  23. bay — to keep at bay
  24. temple — a place of worship

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