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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: rash · stick · coach · toast · temple · mark · net · cabinet

  1. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  5. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  6. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  7. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  8. Have you met the new head ________________?
  9. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  15. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. Don't do anything ________________.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  21. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  24. He took the fish out of the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. net — after costs
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. rash — a series
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. net — in sport
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. rash — on the skin
  15. toast — bread
  16. mark — a trace
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. rash — hasty
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. toast — a drink to someone
  21. cabinet — a cupboard
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. net — for catching

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