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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 116 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. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  6. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  10. I can't ________________ this cold.
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  13. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  14. It's one o'clock ________________.
  15. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  16. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  17. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  18. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  19. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  20. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  21. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  22. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  23. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  24. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — of a river
  2. bank — for money
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. trunk — of a tree
  6. stand — on your feet
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. sharp — clever
  10. stand — to bear
  11. bank — for money
  12. board — a committee
  13. firm — a company
  14. sharp — exactly
  15. firm — decided
  16. wax — for sculpting
  17. trunk — of a car
  18. board — a flat piece
  19. wax — in the ear
  20. trunk — of an elephant
  21. sharp — with an edge
  22. wax — to grow
  23. firm — steady
  24. board — to get on

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