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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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468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Have you settled on a ________________?
  2. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  3. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  7. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. The King held a masked ________________.
  11. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  12. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. date — on the calendar
  2. bowl — to roll
  3. bank — of a river
  4. bank — for money
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. bowl — a dish
  7. bowl — a football final
  8. can — a tin
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. ball — a dance
  11. ball — a great time
  12. lash — an eyelash
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. can — to be able to
  15. date — on the calendar
  16. pass — a permit
  17. can — a tin
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. ball — a round shape
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. date — the fruit
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. bank — for money

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