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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. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  9. When was this ________________ built?
  10. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  20. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — a place of worship
  2. suit — to fit
  3. deal — to handle
  4. stand — on your feet
  5. suit — clothes
  6. firm — a company
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. firm — decided
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. vault — in gymnastics
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. stand — to bear
  14. suit — in cards
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. vault — a safe
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. stand — for spectators
  20. vault — an arched ceiling
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. pass — a permit
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. firm — steady

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