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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
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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: mate · chair · saw · club · coach · mark · can · temple

  1. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  4. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  5. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  6. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  7. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  8. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  9. Have you met the new head ________________?
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Have you found your soul ________________?
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  15. She's very handy with a ________________.
  16. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  17. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  18. He works in a ________________ mill.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?

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

Answer key

  1. coach — a trainer
  2. can — a tin
  3. coach — pulled by horses
  4. chair — a professorship
  5. temple — side of the head
  6. mate — to breed
  7. saw — past of 'see'
  8. club — for golf
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. can — a tin
  11. mate — a partner
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. chair — a leader
  15. saw — the tool
  16. chair — to sit on
  17. club — a group
  18. saw — the tool
  19. mark — a grade
  20. mark — a trace
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. club — for dancing
  23. can — to be able to
  24. mate — a friend

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