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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. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  7. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  10. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  11. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  12. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  15. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  16. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  17. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  18. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  21. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  22. He is an ace ________________.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. There's a computer ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — of a river
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. chip — for betting
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. fine — all right
  9. pitcher — a jug
  10. wave — with your hand
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. bank — for money
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. wave — a sudden rise
  15. plane — a tool
  16. bank — for money
  17. chip — to eat
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. calf — of the leg
  21. wave — of the sea
  22. pitcher — in baseball
  23. fine — high quality
  24. chip — in a computer

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