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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.

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: file · current · lash · lean · key · board · capital · temple

  1. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  4. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  9. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.
  12. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  17. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  18. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. When was this ________________ built?

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. current — electric
  3. file — a line of people
  4. lean — to rest against
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. current — of water
  8. capital — a big letter
  9. capital — a city
  10. key — for a lock
  11. capital — money
  12. file — a tool
  13. board — a committee
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. temple — side of the head
  17. lean — thin
  18. lean — to bend
  19. key — in music
  20. key — the most important part
  21. current — happening now
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. board — to get on
  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