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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: bowl · ruler · pass · rest · jam · nail · stem · bank

  1. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  2. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  3. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  6. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  10. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  11. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — of a plant
  2. rest — a break
  3. bank — of a river
  4. pass — a permit
  5. nail — on a finger
  6. stem — a stem cell
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. stem — to come from
  10. rest — what's left
  11. bowl — a football final
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. rest — what's left
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. bowl — to roll
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. bank — for money
  21. bowl — a dish
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. ruler — for measuring
  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