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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: pop · wave · bound · bear · temple · mark · bowl · patient

  1. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  4. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  5. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  6. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  7. You don't need to ________________ round.
  8. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  9. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  10. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  13. That was ________________ to happen.
  14. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  15. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  16. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  17. We're almost out of ________________.
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  21. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  22. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  24. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — with your hand
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. pop — music
  4. bound — obliged
  5. temple — side of the head
  6. wave — a sudden rise
  7. pop — to visit
  8. patient — a sick person
  9. bear — the animal
  10. bowl — a dish
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. bear — to put up with
  13. bound — certain
  14. patient — calm and waiting
  15. bowl — to roll
  16. bear — the animal
  17. pop — soda
  18. mark — a trace
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. wave — of the sea
  21. bowl — a football final
  22. patient — a sick person
  23. mark — a grade
  24. bound — tied together

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