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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. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. What do you think of the new ________________?
  5. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  6. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  11. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  12. Did you ________________ the meat?
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  15. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  18. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  19. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  20. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. fork — in a road
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. lean — to bend
  6. bank — of a river
  7. charge — electricity
  8. lash — an eyelash
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. season — in sport
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. season — to add flavour
  13. charge — in control
  14. season — of the year
  15. bank — for money
  16. charge — a price
  17. lean — thin
  18. fork — a garden tool
  19. lash — to lash out
  20. fork — to eat with
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. lean — to rest against
  24. bank — for money

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