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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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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: content · racket · bank · charge · wax · temple · ruler · pass

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  3. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. The tickets are free of ________________.
  6. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  7. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  8. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  11. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  16. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  19. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  20. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  23. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  24. The moon will ________________ and wane.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. content — videos and posts
  3. bank — for money
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. charge — a price
  6. bank — of a river
  7. temple — side of the head
  8. charge — in control
  9. pass — a permit
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. charge — electricity
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. racket — a loud noise
  16. wax — for sculpting
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. wax — in the ear
  19. content — happy
  20. bank — for money
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. racket — for tennis
  23. content — the amount
  24. wax — to grow

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