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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: foot · charge · temple · pitch · lie · ruler · net · ball

  1. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  3. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  6. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  7. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  10. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  13. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. The King held a masked ________________.
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  19. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  20. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  23. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  24. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. pitch — a sales talk
  3. net — in sport
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. ball — a round shape
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. pitch — completely
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. net — after costs
  10. lie — to recline
  11. charge — electricity
  12. ball — a great time
  13. foot — part of the body
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. ball — a dance
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. charge — a price
  18. pitch — a sports field
  19. charge — in control
  20. temple — side of the head
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. foot — a measure
  23. net — for catching
  24. ruler — for measuring

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