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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: current · board · suit · rock · plane · temple · jam · trunk

  1. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  2. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. The ________________ took off on time.
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  24. The elephant has a huge ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a committee
  2. jam — a tight spot
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. trunk — of a car
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. board — to get on
  10. plane — a tool
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. rock — a stone
  14. current — happening now
  15. suit — to fit
  16. suit — clothes
  17. trunk — of a tree
  18. suit — in cards
  19. current — of water
  20. current — electric
  21. plane — an aircraft
  22. rock — music
  23. temple — side of the head
  24. trunk — of an elephant

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