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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: arm · coach · temple · bound · rest · pass · fine · rock

  1. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  2. Have you met the new head ________________?
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  5. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  6. When was this ________________ built?
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  9. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. That was ________________ to happen.
  14. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  15. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  16. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. My father caught me by the ________________.
  22. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  23. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — tied together
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. bound — obliged
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. rock — music
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. rest — what's left
  10. fine — all right
  11. rest — what's left
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. bound — certain
  14. fine — high quality
  15. arm — a part of something
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. pass — a permit
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. rock — a stone
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. arm — part of the body
  22. rest — a break
  23. temple — side of the head
  24. pass — to succeed

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