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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: pass · temple · rock · wax · cap · cue · bound · jam

  1. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  7. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  14. That was ________________ to happen.
  15. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  18. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  19. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  20. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  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. rock — music
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. wax — in the ear
  4. pass — a permit
  5. rock — a stone
  6. cue — a signal
  7. cap — of ice
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. jam — a tight spot
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. cue — a hint
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. bound — obliged
  14. bound — certain
  15. cap — a lid
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. cue — for pool
  18. cap — a hat
  19. wax — for sculpting
  20. bound — tied together
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. wax — to grow
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  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