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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: leaves · temple · calf · suit · chair · ruler · bear · racket

  1. When was this ________________ built?
  2. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  11. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  12. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  19. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  22. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  23. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — a place of worship
  2. chair — to sit on
  3. suit — to fit
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. bear — to put up with
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. chair — a leader
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. leaves — to go away
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. bear — the animal
  13. suit — clothes
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. chair — a professorship
  17. suit — in cards
  18. calf — of the leg
  19. bear — the animal
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. racket — a loud noise
  22. temple — side of the head
  23. racket — for tennis
  24. leaves — lets stay

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