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

Word bank: mug · hide · bank · rule · deal · root · stand · temple

  1. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  7. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  10. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  11. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  12. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  13. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  16. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  17. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. mug — to rob
  4. rule — government
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. rule — to rule out
  8. stand — to bear
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. bank — for money
  11. hide — animal skin
  12. rule — a law
  13. stand — on your feet
  14. mug — a cup
  15. root — the cause
  16. root — of a word
  17. bank — of a river
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. stand — for spectators
  20. deal — to handle
  21. hide — to keep secret
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. mug — a face
  24. root — of a plant

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