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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: toast · fine · temple · board · pass · bulb · mine · tube

  1. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  2. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  3. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  6. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. I'll be taking the ________________.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  13. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  14. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a committee
  2. toast — bread
  3. mine — for digging
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. pass — to succeed
  6. mine — an explosive
  7. bulb — for light
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. tube — the underground
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. mine — belonging to me
  13. fine — a penalty
  14. fine — all right
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. bulb — for light
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. pass — a permit
  20. tube — a container
  21. board — to get on
  22. fine — high quality
  23. tube — in a tire
  24. temple — a place of worship

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