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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: rock · temple · pass · lie · bulb · can · craft · pound

  1. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  4. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  7. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  20. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  21. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to succeed
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. pound — a weight
  4. pound — to hit hard
  5. can — a tin
  6. pound — for dogs
  7. temple — side of the head
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. pass — a permit
  12. bulb — for light
  13. craft — a handicraft
  14. rock — music
  15. can — a tin
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. bulb — for light
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. craft — a skill
  21. rock — a stone
  22. lie — to recline
  23. can — to be able to
  24. craft — boats

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