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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
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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: kick · mug · content · mouse · bass · hide · temple · rock

  1. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  3. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  4. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  5. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  6. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  7. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  10. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  11. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  20. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  21. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  22. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  23. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. content — videos and posts
  3. kick — with a leg
  4. kick — a thrill
  5. bass — low music
  6. rock — music
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. bass — the fish
  10. hide — to keep secret
  11. content — the amount
  12. mug — to rob
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. rock — a stone
  16. bass — the instrument
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. kick — in football
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. content — happy
  22. mug — a cup
  23. hide — animal skin
  24. mouse — the animal

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