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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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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: wave · cue · lean · bear · jam · temple · leaves · bank

  1. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  2. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  3. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  8. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  11. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  12. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  15. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  16. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  17. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  22. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  23. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  24. When was this ________________ built?

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

Answer key

  1. cue — a hint
  2. bear — the animal
  3. lean — to bend
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. bank — for money
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. jam — a tight spot
  8. bear — the animal
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. temple — side of the head
  11. wave — with your hand
  12. wave — of the sea
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. cue — for pool
  15. lean — thin
  16. lean — to rest against
  17. wave — a sudden rise
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. cue — a signal
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. bear — to put up with
  22. bank — for money
  23. bank — of a river
  24. temple — a place of worship

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