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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.

Make a worksheet

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: leaves · mark · bowl · dip · ball · temple · pound · mug

  1. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  5. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  6. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  11. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  12. The King held a masked ________________.
  13. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  22. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  23. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  24. She got the top ________________ in the exam.

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

Answer key

  1. pound — to hit hard
  2. mark — a trace
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. mug — a face
  5. bowl — to roll
  6. pound — for dogs
  7. mug — a cup
  8. dip — a sauce
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. bowl — a dish
  11. ball — a great time
  12. ball — a dance
  13. bowl — a football final
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. mug — to rob
  17. ball — a round shape
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. dip — to sink
  22. dip — to dunk
  23. pound — a weight
  24. mark — a grade

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