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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. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  3. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  4. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  5. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  9. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  10. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  11. Don't do anything ________________.
  12. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  15. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  16. Have you found your soul ________________?
  17. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  18. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  19. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. rash — on the skin
  3. staff — a stick
  4. track — a song
  5. foot — part of the body
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. rash — a series
  9. track — a path
  10. staff — employees
  11. rash — hasty
  12. mine — for digging
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. mine — belonging to me
  15. staff — employees
  16. mate — a partner
  17. mate — to breed
  18. foot — the bottom
  19. track — to keep track
  20. bank — for money
  21. bank — of a river
  22. mate — a friend
  23. mine — an explosive
  24. foot — a measure

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