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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: mark · wake · rush · row · squash · arm · temple · mouse

  1. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  2. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  3. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  4. My father caught me by the ________________.
  5. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  6. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  7. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  8. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  9. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  10. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  13. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  14. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. When was this ________________ built?
  22. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  23. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  24. That must've been a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — for a computer
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. arm — part of the body
  4. arm — part of the body
  5. row — a line
  6. wake — a trail
  7. squash — the sport
  8. row — to paddle
  9. row — a quarrel
  10. mark — a trace
  11. mark — a grade
  12. rush — hurry
  13. squash — the vegetable
  14. wake — to stop sleeping
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. arm — a part of something
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. wake — before a funeral
  23. squash — to crush
  24. rush — a thrill

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