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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.

Make a worksheet

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: current · mouse · pit · temple · bank · scale · stock · mate

  1. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. The ________________ market has crashed.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  6. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  7. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  8. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. Have you found your soul ________________?
  13. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  14. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  15. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  16. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  21. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  22. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  23. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  24. When was this ________________ built?

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. stock — shares
  4. current — happening now
  5. bank — for money
  6. mate — to breed
  7. bank — for money
  8. scale — size or range
  9. current — of water
  10. scale — in music
  11. current — electric
  12. mate — a partner
  13. pit — a hole
  14. bank — of a river
  15. stock — a soup base
  16. scale — for weighing
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. pit — a fruit stone
  21. mate — a friend
  22. pit — in a race
  23. stock — goods
  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