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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
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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: rash · tube · object · deal · bay · straw · bound · temple

  1. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  5. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  6. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  9. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  10. Don't do anything ________________.
  11. When was this ________________ built?
  12. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  19. I'll be taking the ________________.
  20. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  21. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  22. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  23. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  24. We are ________________ to obey laws.

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

Answer key

  1. straw — to clutch at straws
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. bound — tied together
  4. rash — a series
  5. rash — on the skin
  6. object — an aim
  7. deal — to handle
  8. bay — a part of the sea
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. rash — hasty
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. bay — to keep at bay
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. deal — an agreement
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. straw — dry grass
  17. bound — certain
  18. tube — a container
  19. tube — the underground
  20. straw — a straw man
  21. object — to protest
  22. object — a thing
  23. tube — in a tire
  24. bound — obliged

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