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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: stem · ruler · bound · hide · pitcher · temple · sharp · rock

  1. He is an ace ________________.
  2. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  3. It's one o'clock ________________.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  8. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  9. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  10. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  11. That was ________________ to happen.
  12. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  21. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  22. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  23. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  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. pitcher — in baseball
  2. sharp — clever
  3. sharp — exactly
  4. rock — a stone
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. temple — side of the head
  9. sharp — with an edge
  10. stem — to come from
  11. bound — certain
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. stem — of a plant
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. stem — a stem cell
  17. rock — music
  18. hide — animal skin
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. bound — tied together
  21. pitcher — a jug
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. bound — obliged
  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