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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: toast · hide · temple · jam · charge · mark · stock · suit

  1. When was this ________________ built?
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  5. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. The ________________ market has crashed.
  8. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  13. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  14. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  15. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. The tickets are free of ________________.
  20. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  21. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  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. temple — a place of worship
  2. suit — clothes
  3. mark — a grade
  4. hide — to keep secret
  5. hide — to keep secret
  6. suit — to fit
  7. stock — shares
  8. stock — a soup base
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. mark — a trace
  11. suit — in cards
  12. toast — the most admired
  13. stock — goods
  14. jam — in traffic
  15. toast — bread
  16. charge — in control
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. charge — a price
  20. jam — a tight spot
  21. hide — animal skin
  22. charge — electricity
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  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