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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 120 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: squash · temple · mouse · can · stand · key · board · nail

  1. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  3. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. The ________________ went through the wall.
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  22. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  23. This piece is in a major ________________.
  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. can — a tin
  2. squash — to crush
  3. squash — the sport
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. stand — to bear
  6. can — to be able to
  7. board — to get on
  8. can — a tin
  9. squash — the vegetable
  10. key — the most important part
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. board — a committee
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. key — for a lock
  21. board — a flat piece
  22. stand — for spectators
  23. key — in music
  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