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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: track · temple · roll · band · file · rash · mark · dip

  1. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  3. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  4. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  7. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  8. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  9. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  10. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  15. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  16. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  17. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  18. Don't do anything ________________.
  19. We're on a ________________ here.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. band — a ring
  3. roll — a list
  4. dip — to sink
  5. mark — a grade
  6. dip — a sauce
  7. track — a path
  8. file — a line of people
  9. rash — on the skin
  10. band — a music group
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. track — to keep track
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. dip — to dunk
  15. file — a tool
  16. file — a document
  17. band — a rubber band
  18. rash — hasty
  19. roll — on a roll
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. track — a song
  22. mark — a trace
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. roll — a cake

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