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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: patient · mark · temple · plane · bank · hide · rush · charge

  1. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  2. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  3. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  4. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  7. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. When was this ________________ built?
  17. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  18. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  19. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  20. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. charge — electricity
  3. hide — to keep secret
  4. rush — hurry
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. patient — a sick person
  7. temple — side of the head
  8. mark — a trace
  9. plane — a tool
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. bank — for money
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. patient — calm and waiting
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. bank — of a river
  18. hide — animal skin
  19. hide — to keep secret
  20. mark — a grade
  21. charge — a price
  22. charge — in control
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. plane — an aircraft

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