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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.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: ground · roll · fork · bowl · mouse · season · bank · board

  1. We're on a ________________ here.
  2. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  3. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  4. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  5. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  8. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  9. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  10. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  11. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  12. Did you ________________ the meat?
  13. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  18. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  19. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  20. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  21. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  22. There's no middle ________________.
  23. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  24. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — on a roll
  2. season — of the year
  3. roll — a list
  4. bank — of a river
  5. roll — a cake
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. ground — the earth
  8. fork — in a road
  9. bank — for money
  10. fork — a garden tool
  11. bowl — to roll
  12. season — to add flavour
  13. board — a flat piece
  14. board — a committee
  15. board — to get on
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. fork — to eat with
  19. bowl — a dish
  20. ground — crushed
  21. bowl — a football final
  22. ground — a position
  23. bank — for money
  24. season — in sport

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