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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: current · stem · file · rush · cue · temple · bowl · bass

  1. When was this ________________ built?
  2. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  3. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  4. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  5. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  6. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  7. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  10. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  14. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  15. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  16. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  19. That must've been a ________________.
  20. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  21. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  22. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  23. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — a place of worship
  2. stem — of a plant
  3. bass — the instrument
  4. rush — hurry
  5. bass — low music
  6. bass — the fish
  7. cue — a hint
  8. cue — for pool
  9. file — a document
  10. bowl — a dish
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. cue — a signal
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. stem — to come from
  15. stem — a stem cell
  16. current — electric
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. file — a tool
  19. rush — a thrill
  20. bowl — a football final
  21. file — a line of people
  22. bowl — to roll
  23. current — happening now
  24. current — of water

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