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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. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  4. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  5. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  6. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  7. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. He is an ace ________________.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. can — a tin
  3. bank — of a river
  4. file — a document
  5. pitcher — a jug
  6. file — a line of people
  7. mark — to pay attention
  8. mark — a grade
  9. bank — for money
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. file — a tool
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. bank — for money
  14. can — to be able to
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. pitcher — in baseball
  17. bulb — for light
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. bulb — for light
  20. suit — clothes
  21. suit — in cards
  22. suit — to fit
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. can — a tin

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