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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.

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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: temple · foot · land · jam · suit · track · cue · ruler

  1. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  7. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  10. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  11. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  12. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  16. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  19. When are we going to ________________?
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  24. I'll take my ________________ from you.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. foot — a measure
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. jam — to spread on bread
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. land — a country
  7. track — a song
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. jam — a tight spot
  10. temple — side of the head
  11. land — ground
  12. track — a path
  13. suit — in cards
  14. suit — clothes
  15. cue — a signal
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. suit — to fit
  18. foot — part of the body
  19. land — to come down
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. foot — the bottom
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. track — to keep track
  24. cue — a hint

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