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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: bound · can · chip · rash · bank · suit · foot · wake

  1. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  4. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  5. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  8. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  9. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  10. That was ________________ to happen.
  11. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  12. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  13. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  14. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  17. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  18. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. Don't do anything ________________.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  24. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. can — a tin
  3. bank — for money
  4. foot — the bottom
  5. bound — tied together
  6. can — to be able to
  7. chip — to eat
  8. rash — on the skin
  9. foot — part of the body
  10. bound — certain
  11. chip — in a computer
  12. wake — before a funeral
  13. bank — for money
  14. bound — obliged
  15. suit — clothes
  16. rash — a series
  17. bank — of a river
  18. wake — a trail
  19. suit — to fit
  20. rash — hasty
  21. can — a tin
  22. suit — in cards
  23. foot — a measure
  24. wake — to stop sleeping

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