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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 120 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: current · bank · plane · leaves · temple · rush · mug · bore

  1. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  6. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  10. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  15. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  16. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  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. plane — an aircraft
  2. mug — a face
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. current — electric
  6. bore — gave birth
  7. mug — a cup
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. bore — to drill
  10. bore — to tire
  11. mug — to rob
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. current — happening now
  14. leaves — lets stay
  15. bank — of a river
  16. current — of water
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. rush — hurry
  20. plane — a tool
  21. temple — side of the head
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. bank — for money
  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