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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: suit · mate · rush · temple · pit · foot · bay · bear

  1. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  3. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  4. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. My mare is ________________ in color.
  7. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  8. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  9. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  14. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  19. Have you found your soul ________________?
  20. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  21. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  22. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — a measure
  2. pit — in a race
  3. rush — to hurry
  4. pit — a hole
  5. suit — to fit
  6. bay — a horse colour
  7. pit — a fruit stone
  8. bear — the animal
  9. bay — to keep at bay
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. suit — clothes
  13. mate — a friend
  14. foot — part of the body
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. suit — in cards
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. bay — a part of the sea
  19. mate — a partner
  20. bear — to put up with
  21. mate — to breed
  22. bear — the animal
  23. rush — hurry
  24. foot — the bottom

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