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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: can · hide · mouse · board · content · temple · coach · rash

  1. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  2. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  3. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  4. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  8. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  9. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  10. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  11. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  14. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  15. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  16. Don't do anything ________________.
  17. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  18. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  19. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  22. Have you met the new head ________________?
  23. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. hide — to keep secret
  2. rash — on the skin
  3. mouse — for a computer
  4. rash — a series
  5. can — a tin
  6. can — to be able to
  7. board — a committee
  8. temple — side of the head
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. board — to get on
  11. content — videos and posts
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. content — the amount
  14. coach — pulled by horses
  15. hide — animal skin
  16. rash — hasty
  17. content — happy
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. board — a flat piece
  20. can — a tin
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. temple — a place of worship

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