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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: temple · mug · row · bank · current · fork · fine · swing

  1. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  2. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  6. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  9. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. David sat on the ________________.
  15. When was this ________________ built?
  16. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  17. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  18. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  19. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  23. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — in golf
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. current — electric
  5. bank — of a river
  6. row — to paddle
  7. fine — all right
  8. current — of water
  9. mug — a face
  10. fine — high quality
  11. swing — music
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. mug — to rob
  14. swing — to play on
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. fork — to eat with
  17. fork — a garden tool
  18. fork — in a road
  19. bank — for money
  20. bank — for money
  21. current — happening now
  22. row — a quarrel
  23. row — a line
  24. mug — a cup

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