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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 · rush · temple · mark · mug · current · rest · object

  1. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  2. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. When was this ________________ built?
  20. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  24. I would like to have a ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. rest — what's left
  2. object — an aim
  3. current — of water
  4. rest — what's left
  5. mug — a cup
  6. object — to protest
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. rush — hurry
  9. mug — to rob
  10. mug — a face
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. lie — to recline
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. current — happening now
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. mark — a trace
  17. current — electric
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. mark — a grade
  23. object — a thing
  24. rest — a break

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