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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.

Make a worksheet

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: face · temple · sharp · kick · pass · mug · arm · suit

  1. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  5. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  6. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  9. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  10. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. My father caught me by the ________________.
  16. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. It's one o'clock ________________.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  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. pass — a permit
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. mug — a cup
  4. kick — in football
  5. sharp — with an edge
  6. arm — a part of something
  7. suit — in cards
  8. sharp — clever
  9. face — to confront
  10. face — to point toward
  11. suit — clothes
  12. kick — a thrill
  13. mug — a face
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. face — part of the head
  19. mug — to rob
  20. suit — to fit
  21. sharp — exactly
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. kick — with a leg
  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