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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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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 · current · bass · lie · ruler · hand · cabinet · rush

  1. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  15. When was this ________________ built?
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  19. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  23. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  24. Do you need a ________________ with that?

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

Answer key

  1. hand — in cards
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. current — electric
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. temple — side of the head
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. bass — low music
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. rush — hurry
  17. lie — to recline
  18. bass — the instrument
  19. bass — the fish
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. current — of water
  22. current — happening now
  23. hand — part of the body
  24. hand — help

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