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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: pit · object · bound · leaves · bank · rush · pitcher · suit

  1. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. He is an ace ________________.
  4. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  5. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  6. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  7. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  10. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  11. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  12. That was ________________ to happen.
  13. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  14. That must've been a ________________.
  15. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  16. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  17. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  23. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  24. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. bank — for money
  3. pitcher — in baseball
  4. pit — in a race
  5. pitcher — a jug
  6. object — a thing
  7. leaves — to go away
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. bound — obliged
  10. object — an aim
  11. pitcher — a jug
  12. bound — certain
  13. bank — for money
  14. rush — a thrill
  15. pit — a fruit stone
  16. pit — a hole
  17. bank — of a river
  18. rush — hurry
  19. suit — to fit
  20. leaves — lets stay
  21. suit — clothes
  22. object — to protest
  23. leaves — of a tree
  24. bound — tied together

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