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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
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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: squash · suit · pass · rule · mouse · roll · sharp · temple

  1. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  6. It's one o'clock ________________.
  7. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  12. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  13. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  16. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  17. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  18. We're on a ________________ here.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  22. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  23. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — for a computer
  2. suit — to fit
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. roll — a list
  6. sharp — exactly
  7. rule — to rule out
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. suit — clothes
  10. suit — in cards
  11. squash — the vegetable
  12. squash — the sport
  13. rule — government
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. sharp — with an edge
  16. squash — to crush
  17. roll — a cake
  18. roll — on a roll
  19. pass — a permit
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. sharp — clever
  23. rule — a law
  24. pass — to succeed

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