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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. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  5. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  6. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  10. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  11. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  12. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  15. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  16. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  19. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  20. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  21. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  22. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  23. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  24. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. bear — the animal
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. bear — to put up with
  7. can — a tin
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. foot — a measure
  10. foot — part of the body
  11. bear — the animal
  12. toast — bread
  13. can — a tin
  14. toast — a drink to someone
  15. bank — of a river
  16. fork — to eat with
  17. can — to be able to
  18. bank — for money
  19. file — a line of people
  20. file — a tool
  21. fork — a garden tool
  22. bank — for money
  23. foot — the bottom
  24. fork — in a road

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