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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: bank · bear · arm · mug · object · pass · temple · jam

  1. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  2. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  3. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  6. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  10. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  11. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  15. My father caught me by the ________________.
  16. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  19. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  20. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  21. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  24. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. jam — a tight spot
  3. bear — the animal
  4. mug — to rob
  5. mug — a face
  6. bear — the animal
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. arm — a part of something
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. bank — for money
  12. pass — a permit
  13. mug — a cup
  14. object — an aim
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. jam — in traffic
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. object — to protest
  19. pass — to spend time
  20. object — a thing
  21. arm — part of the body
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. bear — to put up with
  24. bank — of a river

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