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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. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  5. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  8. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  9. That was ________________ to happen.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  14. Have you settled on a ________________?
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  20. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — of a river
  2. staff — a stick
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. staff — employees
  5. bank — for money
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. bound — obliged
  9. bound — certain
  10. charge — a price
  11. charge — in control
  12. suit — in cards
  13. date — on the calendar
  14. date — on the calendar
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. bound — tied together
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. charge — electricity
  20. staff — employees
  21. suit — to fit
  22. date — the fruit
  23. bank — for money
  24. suit — clothes

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