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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: row · toast · rock · tube · mine · temple · firm · mouse

  1. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  5. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  8. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  9. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  10. I'll be taking the ________________.
  11. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  12. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  13. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  19. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  20. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. When was this ________________ built?
  23. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  24. I had a ________________ with my boss today.

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

Answer key

  1. row — a line
  2. rock — a stone
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. temple — side of the head
  5. toast — a drink to someone
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. mine — belonging to me
  8. firm — a company
  9. firm — steady
  10. tube — the underground
  11. tube — a container
  12. mine — for digging
  13. row — to paddle
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. toast — bread
  19. firm — decided
  20. mine — an explosive
  21. rock — music
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. tube — in a tire
  24. row — a quarrel

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