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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: arm · board · hide · toast · pit · lie · can · temple

  1. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  4. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  5. My father caught me by the ________________.
  6. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  7. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  8. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  11. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  12. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  15. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. When was this ________________ built?
  24. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. arm — part of the body
  4. lie — to recline
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. hide — to keep secret
  7. pit — a fruit stone
  8. hide — animal skin
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. toast — a drink to someone
  11. board — to get on
  12. pit — a hole
  13. board — a committee
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. can — to be able to
  18. can — a tin
  19. toast — bread
  20. toast — the most admired
  21. can — a tin
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. arm — a part of something

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