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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: mug · jam · deal · ruler · date · chip · wake · temple

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  3. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  4. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  5. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  6. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. Have you settled on a ________________?
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  13. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  14. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  17. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  18. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  19. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. Where did you ________________ them?
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  24. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. deal — an agreement
  3. deal — a big deal
  4. wake — to stop sleeping
  5. wake — a trail
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. temple — side of the head
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. date — on the calendar
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. date — on the calendar
  13. jam — in traffic
  14. date — the fruit
  15. mug — a cup
  16. chip — in a computer
  17. deal — to handle
  18. chip — to eat
  19. jam — a tight spot
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. mug — to rob
  22. mug — a face
  23. chip — for betting
  24. wake — before a funeral

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