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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: mug · temple · spell · fork · cabinet · can · fall · mark

  1. When was this ________________ built?
  2. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  3. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  6. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  15. What do you think of the new ________________?
  16. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  17. How do you ________________ your surname?
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  24. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — a place of worship
  2. fork — in a road
  3. fork — to eat with
  4. mug — to rob
  5. spell — a short time
  6. fall — the season
  7. can — a tin
  8. can — to be able to
  9. mark — a trace
  10. temple — side of the head
  11. can — a tin
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. mug — a cup
  14. cabinet — a cupboard
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. fork — a garden tool
  17. spell — letters
  18. mark — a grade
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. mug — a face
  21. fall — to drop
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. fall — to drop
  24. spell — magic

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