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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: kick · stem · temple · suit · jam · ground · bay · charge

  1. When was this ________________ built?
  2. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  8. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  9. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  10. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. There's no middle ________________.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  15. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  16. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. My mare is ________________ in color.
  22. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  23. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — a place of worship
  2. ground — the earth
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. suit — clothes
  5. charge — electricity
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. bay — to keep at bay
  8. ground — crushed
  9. kick — a thrill
  10. stem — a stem cell
  11. suit — to fit
  12. ground — a position
  13. charge — a price
  14. kick — with a leg
  15. charge — in control
  16. kick — in football
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. bay — a part of the sea
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. bay — a horse colour
  22. stem — of a plant
  23. stem — to come from
  24. suit — in cards

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