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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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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: rash · object · cabinet · bulb · can · band · kick · bank

  1. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  6. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  9. Don't do anything ________________.
  10. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  11. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  12. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  13. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  14. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  15. What do you think of the new ________________?
  16. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  20. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  23. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  24. The light ________________ burned out.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. bank — for money
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. can — a tin
  5. object — an aim
  6. bank — of a river
  7. can — to be able to
  8. bank — for money
  9. rash — hasty
  10. kick — in football
  11. kick — with a leg
  12. band — a rubber band
  13. band — a music group
  14. rash — on the skin
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. object — a thing
  17. bulb — for light
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. object — to protest
  20. bulb — of a plant
  21. can — a tin
  22. band — a ring
  23. kick — a thrill
  24. bulb — for light

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