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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.

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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: bay · plane · ruler · bark · stem · roll · bank · temple

  1. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  4. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  7. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  8. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  12. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  13. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  14. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  15. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  16. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  17. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  18. We're on a ________________ here.
  19. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  20. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  21. When was this ________________ built?
  22. My mare is ________________ in color.
  23. The ________________ took off on time.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — side of the head
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. bark — a dog's sound
  4. roll — a list
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. stem — a stem cell
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. bark — to shout
  9. plane — a tool
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. bark — of a tree
  12. bank — for money
  13. roll — a cake
  14. bank — of a river
  15. stem — to come from
  16. bay — a part of the sea
  17. bank — for money
  18. roll — on a roll
  19. stem — of a plant
  20. plane — in geometry
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. bay — a horse colour
  23. plane — an aircraft
  24. ruler — for measuring

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