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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: rule · bark · squash · scale · mark · temple · bank · leaves

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  4. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  5. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  6. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  7. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  10. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  11. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  12. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  13. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  18. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. When was this ________________ built?
  22. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  23. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  24. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. bank — for money
  4. rule — to rule out
  5. squash — the sport
  6. temple — side of the head
  7. rule — a law
  8. mark — a trace
  9. scale — size or range
  10. mark — a grade
  11. bark — of a tree
  12. bark — to shout
  13. scale — for weighing
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. squash — to crush
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. squash — the vegetable
  18. bank — of a river
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. rule — government
  23. bark — a dog's sound
  24. bank — for money

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