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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
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: deal · cabinet · fine · current · bear · mate · stand · temple

  1. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. I can't ________________ this cold.
  4. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  7. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. Have you found your soul ________________?
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  23. When was this ________________ built?
  24. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?

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

Answer key

  1. fine — a penalty
  2. current — electric
  3. stand — to bear
  4. bear — the animal
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. deal — an agreement
  7. temple — side of the head
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. fine — all right
  10. bear — to put up with
  11. current — happening now
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. mate — a partner
  14. current — of water
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. mate — to breed
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. deal — to handle
  21. fine — high quality
  22. bear — the animal
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. mate — a friend

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