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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: arm · leaves · can · pop · object · temple · stick · season

  1. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. We're almost out of ________________.
  3. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  6. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  7. Did you ________________ the meat?
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  13. My father caught me by the ________________.
  14. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  15. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. You don't need to ________________ round.
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  23. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  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. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. pop — soda
  3. object — an aim
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. season — of the year
  6. arm — part of the body
  7. season — to add flavour
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. object — to protest
  11. can — a tin
  12. season — in sport
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. can — a tin
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. pop — music
  19. can — to be able to
  20. pop — to visit
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. object — a thing
  23. arm — a part of something
  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