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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: track · date · temple · last · chip · bound · mark · vault

  1. False peace will not ________________.
  2. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  3. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  6. That was ________________ to happen.
  7. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  8. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  11. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  14. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  15. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  16. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  17. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  18. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  21. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  24. Have you settled on a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. last — to go on
  2. mark — to pay attention
  3. date — the fruit
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. vault — a safe
  6. bound — certain
  7. chip — in a computer
  8. vault — in gymnastics
  9. mark — a trace
  10. track — a path
  11. vault — an arched ceiling
  12. bound — obliged
  13. date — on the calendar
  14. chip — for betting
  15. track — a song
  16. temple — side of the head
  17. chip — to eat
  18. last — finally
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. track — to keep track
  21. last — final
  22. mark — a grade
  23. bound — tied together
  24. date — on the calendar

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