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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. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  6. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  7. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  8. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  9. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  12. I'll be taking the ________________.
  13. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  16. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. My father caught me by the ________________.
  23. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  24. I can't ________________ this cold.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — side of the head
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. fall — to drop
  4. can — to be able to
  5. tube — a container
  6. fall — to drop
  7. stand — on your feet
  8. tube — in a tire
  9. trunk — of an elephant
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. tube — the underground
  13. trunk — of a car
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. stand — for spectators
  16. arm — a part of something
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. can — a tin
  20. fall — the season
  21. can — a tin
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. trunk — of a tree
  24. stand — to bear

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