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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
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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: scale · rush · current · net · staff · foot · temple · tube

  1. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  4. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  5. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  11. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  12. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  13. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  14. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  15. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  16. When was this ________________ built?
  17. I'll be taking the ________________.
  18. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  19. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  20. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  21. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  22. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  23. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. tube — in a tire
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. scale — for weighing
  4. foot — the bottom
  5. staff — a stick
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. current — of water
  8. staff — employees
  9. current — electric
  10. net — for catching
  11. rush — to hurry
  12. foot — a measure
  13. scale — in music
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. net — in sport
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. tube — the underground
  18. tube — a container
  19. scale — size or range
  20. net — after costs
  21. staff — employees
  22. current — happening now
  23. foot — part of the body
  24. rush — hurry

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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