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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: temple · wax · current · toast · ruler · straw · cabinet · leaves

  1. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  2. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. When was this ________________ built?
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  13. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  14. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  20. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  21. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. What do you think of the new ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. straw — dry grass
  2. wax — in the ear
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. straw — a straw man
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. temple — side of the head
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. current — happening now
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. wax — to grow
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. current — electric
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. current — of water
  19. wax — for sculpting
  20. straw — to clutch at straws
  21. toast — bread
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. cabinet — ministers

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