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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.

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: toast · bank · rash · dip · fine · mouse · sharp · temple

  1. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  3. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  4. It's one o'clock ________________.
  5. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  6. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  7. When was this ________________ built?
  8. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  9. Don't do anything ________________.
  10. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  15. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  18. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. bank — for money
  4. sharp — exactly
  5. sharp — with an edge
  6. toast — a drink to someone
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. dip — to sink
  9. rash — hasty
  10. dip — a sauce
  11. fine — all right
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. fine — a penalty
  15. bank — for money
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. rash — on the skin
  18. fine — high quality
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. sharp — clever
  21. bank — of a river
  22. toast — bread
  23. dip — to dunk
  24. mouse — the animal

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