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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. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  8. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  22. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  23. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  24. The elephant has a huge ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. jam — to spread on bread
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. mug — to rob
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. bat — the animal
  8. bowl — to roll
  9. suit — to fit
  10. suit — in cards
  11. bowl — a football final
  12. mug — a cup
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. mug — a face
  16. bowl — a dish
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. suit — clothes
  19. bat — in an idiom
  20. bank — of a river
  21. bank — for money
  22. trunk — of a car
  23. bat — for baseball
  24. trunk — of an elephant

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