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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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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: temple · rush · lie · lash · bore · trunk · pass · current

  1. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  6. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  7. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  11. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  20. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — gave birth
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. current — happening now
  4. current — of water
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. lash — an eyelash
  7. trunk — of a tree
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. current — electric
  10. trunk — of a car
  11. bore — to drill
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. trunk — of an elephant
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. rush — hurry
  18. pass — a permit
  19. pass — to spend time
  20. bore — to tire
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. lie — to recline
  24. temple — side of the head

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