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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: fine · rash · bulb · current · can · temple · net · drill

  1. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. Don't do anything ________________.
  17. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  18. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  23. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. current — happening now
  4. bulb — for light
  5. current — of water
  6. fine — a penalty
  7. fine — all right
  8. can — a tin
  9. net — after costs
  10. can — a tin
  11. net — for catching
  12. bulb — for light
  13. drill — the tool
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. current — electric
  16. rash — hasty
  17. rash — on the skin
  18. drill — a practice
  19. can — to be able to
  20. temple — side of the head
  21. fine — high quality
  22. net — in sport
  23. drill — army training
  24. temple — a place of worship

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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