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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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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: foot · cabinet · ground · pitcher · fine · bowl · key · bank

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  5. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  6. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  13. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  14. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  15. He is an ace ________________.
  16. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. There's no middle ________________.
  19. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. bowl — a football final
  5. ground — the earth
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. bank — for money
  9. fine — high quality
  10. foot — a measure
  11. fine — all right
  12. bowl — to roll
  13. ground — crushed
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. pitcher — in baseball
  16. foot — the bottom
  17. key — in music
  18. ground — a position
  19. bowl — a dish
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. bank — of a river
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. key — for a lock
  24. key — the most important part

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