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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. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  6. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  7. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  10. I can't ________________ this cold.
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  13. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. Have you found your soul ________________?
  20. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  21. We're almost out of ________________.
  22. You don't need to ________________ round.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?

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

Answer key

  1. rule — a law
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. key — in music
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. pop — music
  6. rule — to rule out
  7. stand — on your feet
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. pitch — completely
  10. stand — to bear
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. mate — to breed
  13. mate — a friend
  14. key — for a lock
  15. pitch — a sales talk
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. mate — a partner
  20. pitch — a sports field
  21. pop — soda
  22. pop — to visit
  23. key — the most important part
  24. rule — government

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