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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 120 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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  2. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. Did you ________________ the meat?
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. When was this ________________ built?
  7. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  13. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  14. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  15. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  18. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  19. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  20. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. Spring is a pleasant ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — side of the head
  2. bank — for money
  3. current — happening now
  4. season — to add flavour
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. lean — to bend
  8. mark — a grade
  9. bank — for money
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. current — electric
  12. racket — for tennis
  13. racket — a loud noise
  14. racket — for tennis
  15. bank — of a river
  16. mark — a trace
  17. lean — to rest against
  18. lean — thin
  19. current — of water
  20. season — in sport
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. season — of the year

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