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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. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  6. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  12. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  15. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  16. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  17. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. current — of water
  4. can — a tin
  5. bank — for money
  6. bank — of a river
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. present — a gift
  10. current — happening now
  11. bass — the fish
  12. toast — bread
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. toast — a drink to someone
  15. bass — the instrument
  16. present — the time now
  17. present — there
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. can — a tin
  20. bank — for money
  21. bass — low music
  22. can — to be able to
  23. current — electric
  24. toast — the most admired

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