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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 116 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. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  2. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  3. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  4. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  7. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  8. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  9. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  10. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  11. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. The King held a masked ________________.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  19. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  20. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  21. The ball is in your ________________.
  22. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. club — a group
  2. court — of law
  3. bank — for money
  4. court — of a king
  5. suit — clothes
  6. mine — for digging
  7. mine — an explosive
  8. bank — for money
  9. track — a path
  10. bank — of a river
  11. club — for dancing
  12. bulb — for light
  13. ball — a round shape
  14. bulb — for light
  15. ball — a dance
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. suit — in cards
  18. track — to keep track
  19. mine — belonging to me
  20. track — a song
  21. court — for sport
  22. club — for golf
  23. suit — to fit
  24. ball — a great time

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