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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: toast · sharp · coach · suit · foot · bank · firm · ball

  1. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  2. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  3. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  4. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  5. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  6. The King held a masked ________________.
  7. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  8. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  9. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  10. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. Have you met the new head ________________?
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  15. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  20. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  21. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  22. It's one o'clock ________________.
  23. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — with an edge
  2. foot — a measure
  3. ball — a great time
  4. foot — the bottom
  5. firm — steady
  6. ball — a dance
  7. sharp — clever
  8. coach — pulled by horses
  9. firm — decided
  10. firm — a company
  11. suit — clothes
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. suit — in cards
  14. toast — bread
  15. bank — of a river
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. ball — a round shape
  18. suit — to fit
  19. toast — the most admired
  20. foot — part of the body
  21. bank — for money
  22. sharp — exactly
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. bank — for money

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