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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: dip · can · content · temple · mug · rush · fine · bowl

  1. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  2. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  3. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  4. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  5. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  6. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  7. When was this ________________ built?
  8. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  11. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  20. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bowl — a football final
  2. fine — high quality
  3. dip — to dunk
  4. dip — a sauce
  5. temple — side of the head
  6. mug — a cup
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. content — the amount
  9. fine — all right
  10. mug — a face
  11. bowl — to roll
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. content — videos and posts
  15. can — a tin
  16. can — a tin
  17. dip — to sink
  18. mug — to rob
  19. bowl — a dish
  20. content — happy
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. can — to be able to
  23. fine — a penalty
  24. rush — hurry

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