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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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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. When was this ________________ built?
  2. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  3. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  6. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  7. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  8. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  11. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  14. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  17. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  18. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  24. The tickets are free of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — a place of worship
  2. drill — army training
  3. wax — to grow
  4. cue — a hint
  5. wax — in the ear
  6. face — to point toward
  7. cue — a signal
  8. toast — bread
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. drill — the tool
  11. charge — in control
  12. cue — for pool
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. drill — a practice
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. face — to confront
  17. wax — for sculpting
  18. face — part of the head
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. charge — electricity
  21. mark — a trace
  22. mark — a grade
  23. toast — the most admired
  24. charge — a price

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