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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: bank · mark · ruler · jam · leaves · temple · bulb · stick

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  5. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  11. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  24. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. bank — for money
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. temple — side of the head
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. mark — a trace
  10. leaves — lets stay
  11. jam — a tight spot
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. mark — a grade
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. bulb — for light
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. bank — for money
  21. bank — of a river
  22. bulb — for light
  23. stick — to attach or keep to
  24. jam — in traffic

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