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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 · mark · rush · calf · press · stand · current · pound

  1. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  2. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  5. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  6. Did you ________________ the button?
  7. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  8. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  11. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  14. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  15. I can't ________________ this cold.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  23. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. pound — a weight
  2. mark — a grade
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. pound — for dogs
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. press — to push
  7. press — newspapers
  8. current — of water
  9. mark — a trace
  10. stand — for spectators
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. calf — of the leg
  14. pound — to hit hard
  15. stand — to bear
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. stand — on your feet
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. press — a publisher
  20. rush — hurry
  21. current — electric
  22. current — happening now
  23. temple — side of the head
  24. rush — to hurry

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