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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: can · calf · pitch · board · firm · bank · lash · roll

  1. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  4. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  9. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  10. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  11. We're on a ________________ here.
  12. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  15. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  16. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  17. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  18. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  21. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  22. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. The spa offers ________________ extensions.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. can — to be able to
  3. pitch — completely
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. can — a tin
  6. calf — of the leg
  7. bank — of a river
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. pitch — a sales talk
  10. board — to get on
  11. roll — on a roll
  12. board — a committee
  13. can — a tin
  14. roll — a cake
  15. firm — decided
  16. roll — a list
  17. pitch — a sports field
  18. firm — a company
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. board — a flat piece
  21. bank — for money
  22. firm — steady
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. lash — an eyelash

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