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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: temple · lie · rash · fine · roll · stock · kick · ruler

  1. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. The ________________ market has crashed.
  4. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. When was this ________________ built?
  8. Don't do anything ________________.
  9. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  10. We're on a ________________ here.
  11. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  14. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  17. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  18. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  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. temple — side of the head
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. stock — shares
  4. rash — a series
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. lie — to recline
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. rash — hasty
  9. rash — on the skin
  10. roll — on a roll
  11. roll — a list
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. roll — a cake
  14. fine — all right
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. kick — with a leg
  17. kick — in football
  18. stock — goods
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. stock — a soup base
  22. fine — high quality
  23. kick — a thrill
  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