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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: lean · leaves · pass · roll · current · temple · saw · safe

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  7. He works in a ________________ mill.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. We're on a ________________ here.
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  13. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  19. She's very handy with a ________________.
  20. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. lean — to bend
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. current — of water
  6. roll — a list
  7. saw — the tool
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. roll — on a roll
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. lean — to rest against
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. lean — thin
  16. current — happening now
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. roll — a cake
  19. saw — the tool
  20. saw — past of 'see'
  21. pass — a permit
  22. current — electric
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. pass — to spend time

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