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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 lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  2. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  3. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  10. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  11. We're on a ________________ here.
  12. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  13. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  14. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  19. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — with your hand
  2. mark — a grade
  3. roll — a list
  4. bank — for money
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. rock — a stone
  7. roll — a cake
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. bank — of a river
  10. wave — of the sea
  11. roll — on a roll
  12. bass — the instrument
  13. wave — a sudden rise
  14. fine — high quality
  15. mark — a trace
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. bank — for money
  19. bass — the fish
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. fine — all right
  22. bass — low music
  23. rock — music
  24. fine — a penalty

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