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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 120 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. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. How do you ________________ your surname?
  8. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  11. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  12. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  15. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  18. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. bank — of a river
  3. current — of water
  4. current — electric
  5. spell — magic
  6. can — a tin
  7. spell — letters
  8. kick — a thrill
  9. can — a tin
  10. fan — to cool the air
  11. board — a committee
  12. kick — with a leg
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. bank — for money
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. current — happening now
  17. kick — in football
  18. spell — a short time
  19. bank — for money
  20. leaves — lets stay
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. board — a flat piece
  23. board — to get on
  24. can — to be able to

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