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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. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  2. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  3. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  4. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  5. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  8. Have you settled on a ________________?
  9. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  12. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  13. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  14. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  19. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  22. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. date — the fruit
  2. bank — for money
  3. calf — of the leg
  4. vault — an arched ceiling
  5. dip — to dunk
  6. can — a tin
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. date — on the calendar
  9. dip — a sauce
  10. can — a tin
  11. fine — a penalty
  12. vault — in gymnastics
  13. bank — for money
  14. vault — a safe
  15. mug — to rob
  16. mug — a cup
  17. fine — high quality
  18. fine — all right
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. can — to be able to
  21. date — on the calendar
  22. dip — to sink
  23. mug — a face
  24. bank — of a river

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