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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: pitcher · lash · mug · temple · firm · wave · scale · track

  1. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  4. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  5. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  8. He is an ace ________________.
  9. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  12. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  13. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  19. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  20. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  21. When was this ________________ built?
  22. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  23. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  24. Fill up this ________________ with water.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — with your hand
  2. mug — a cup
  3. scale — for weighing
  4. temple — side of the head
  5. track — a path
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. track — a song
  8. pitcher — in baseball
  9. track — to keep track
  10. mug — to rob
  11. scale — in music
  12. scale — size or range
  13. wave — a sudden rise
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. lash — an eyelash
  16. mug — a face
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. wave — of the sea
  19. firm — decided
  20. firm — a company
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. firm — steady
  24. pitcher — a jug

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