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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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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: track · cap · mark · temple · stem · ruler · pass · lie

  1. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  4. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  5. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  12. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. cap — a lid
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. track — to keep track
  4. track — a path
  5. stem — to come from
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. stem — a stem cell
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. lie — to recline
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. cap — a hat
  12. track — a song
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. stem — of a plant
  16. pass — a permit
  17. cap — of ice
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. temple — side of the head
  21. mark — a grade
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. mark — a trace
  24. temple — a place of worship

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