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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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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: dip · patient · temple · calf · jam · charge · bank · bear

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  4. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  9. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  13. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  14. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  15. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  18. The tickets are free of ________________.
  19. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  20. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  21. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  24. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. dip — a sauce
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. bear — the animal
  7. bank — of a river
  8. temple — side of the head
  9. patient — calm and waiting
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. bank — for money
  12. dip — to dunk
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. bear — to put up with
  15. patient — a sick person
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. bear — the animal
  18. charge — a price
  19. dip — to sink
  20. charge — in control
  21. jam — in traffic
  22. charge — electricity
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. calf — a young animal

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