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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 from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: rock · temple · roll · craft · wound · ruler · bound · pit

  1. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. We're on a ________________ here.
  3. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  9. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  16. When was this ________________ built?
  17. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  18. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  19. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  20. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  23. That was ________________ to happen.
  24. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. roll — on a roll
  3. pit — a hole
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. rock — a stone
  8. craft — a handicraft
  9. roll — a cake
  10. bound — obliged
  11. wound — an injury
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. rock — music
  15. wound — an injury
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. roll — a list
  18. bound — tied together
  19. pit — a fruit stone
  20. wound — past of 'wind'
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. craft — a skill
  23. bound — certain
  24. craft — boats

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