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

  1. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  2. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  5. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  6. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  7. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  8. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  11. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  14. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  24. She got the top ________________ in the exam.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. toast — a drink to someone
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. mark — to pay attention
  5. squash — the sport
  6. squash — to crush
  7. bank — for money
  8. bark — a dog's sound
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. toast — the most admired
  11. mark — a trace
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. bark — of a tree
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. toast — bread
  17. squash — the vegetable
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. leaves — of a tree
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. bank — of a river
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. bark — to shout
  24. mark — a grade

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