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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: saw · mate · kick · key · mouse · temple · bank · bulb

  1. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  2. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  8. This piece is in a major ________________.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  11. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. Have you found your soul ________________?
  14. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  18. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. She's very handy with a ________________.
  21. He works in a ________________ mill.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. kick — in football
  2. bank — of a river
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. temple — side of the head
  6. bulb — for light
  7. mate — a friend
  8. key — in music
  9. key — the most important part
  10. kick — a thrill
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. mate — a partner
  14. kick — with a leg
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. bank — for money
  18. mate — to breed
  19. key — for a lock
  20. saw — the tool
  21. saw — the tool
  22. bulb — for light
  23. bank — for money
  24. mouse — the animal

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