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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: fine · can · calf · ground · mug · land · present · bank

  1. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  5. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  6. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. When are we going to ________________?
  21. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  22. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  23. There's no middle ________________.
  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. fine — a penalty
  2. ground — the earth
  3. can — to be able to
  4. present — a gift
  5. present — the time now
  6. bank — for money
  7. bank — of a river
  8. ground — crushed
  9. fine — high quality
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. fine — all right
  12. land — ground
  13. mug — to rob
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. can — a tin
  16. land — a country
  17. mug — a cup
  18. mug — a face
  19. can — a tin
  20. land — to come down
  21. present — there
  22. calf — of the leg
  23. ground — a position
  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