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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: lie · temple · lean · fan · lash · staff · sharp · bank

  1. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  6. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  7. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  8. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  9. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  10. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  11. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  14. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  15. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  16. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  23. It's one o'clock ________________.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. lie — to recline
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. bank — for money
  5. lash — to lash out
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. sharp — with an edge
  8. lean — to rest against
  9. sharp — clever
  10. bank — of a river
  11. lean — thin
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. staff — employees
  14. lean — to bend
  15. staff — employees
  16. bank — for money
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. staff — a stick
  23. sharp — exactly
  24. lie — an untruth

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