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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.

Make a worksheet

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: jam · temple · object · mark · calf · hide · fine · rock

  1. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  2. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  7. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  8. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  14. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  15. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  18. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  19. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. hide — to keep secret
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. rock — a stone
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. jam — to spread on bread
  7. mark — to pay attention
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. rock — music
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. object — a thing
  15. fine — a penalty
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. object — an aim
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. hide — animal skin
  20. mark — a trace
  21. object — to protest
  22. fine — high quality
  23. mark — a grade
  24. fine — all right

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