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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: mark · roll · temple · pitcher · content · plane · shower · ruler

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  3. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  7. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  8. We're on a ________________ here.
  9. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  10. He is an ace ________________.
  11. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  12. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  13. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  16. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  17. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. When was this ________________ built?
  22. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. shower — rain
  3. shower — a meteor shower
  4. plane — a tool
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. roll — a list
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. roll — on a roll
  9. content — the amount
  10. pitcher — in baseball
  11. roll — a cake
  12. content — videos and posts
  13. mark — a trace
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. shower — to wash
  17. plane — in geometry
  18. mark — a grade
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. temple — side of the head
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. content — happy

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