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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: lie · fan · scale · root · racket · roll · temple · coach

  1. When was this ________________ built?
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  5. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  6. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  7. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  8. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  9. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  10. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  14. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  20. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  21. Have you met the new head ________________?
  22. We're on a ________________ here.
  23. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. temple — a place of worship
  2. root — the cause
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. root — of a plant
  5. coach — pulled by horses
  6. scale — size or range
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. temple — side of the head
  9. scale — in music
  10. scale — for weighing
  11. lie — to recline
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. roll — a cake
  14. racket — for tennis
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. roll — a list
  18. root — of a word
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. roll — on a roll
  23. racket — a loud noise
  24. lie — an untruth

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