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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: ball · fan · season · hide · fine · temple · toast · firm

  1. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  2. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  5. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  6. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  7. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  8. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  9. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  10. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  11. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  12. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  13. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  14. The King held a masked ________________.
  15. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  16. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  19. When was this ________________ built?
  20. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  21. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  22. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  23. Did you ________________ the meat?
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. fan — to cool the air
  2. hide — to keep secret
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. toast — the most admired
  5. season — of the year
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. toast — a drink to someone
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. firm — steady
  10. firm — decided
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. toast — bread
  13. firm — a company
  14. ball — a dance
  15. fine — high quality
  16. temple — side of the head
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. ball — a great time
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. season — in sport
  21. hide — animal skin
  22. fine — a penalty
  23. season — to add flavour
  24. fine — all right

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