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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 hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  5. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  6. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  9. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  10. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  15. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  18. The King held a masked ________________.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  23. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  24. I'll be taking the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. ball — a great time
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. lie — to recline
  5. toast — bread
  6. bank — of a river
  7. mark — a grade
  8. bear — the animal
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. bear — to put up with
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. bank — for money
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. bear — the animal
  15. tube — a container
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. tube — in a tire
  18. ball — a dance
  19. bank — for money
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. toast — a drink to someone
  24. tube — the underground

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