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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: safe · bank · suit · drill · perch · bound · saw · foot

  1. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. He works in a ________________ mill.
  4. That was ________________ to happen.
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  7. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  11. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  12. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. She's very handy with a ________________.
  17. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  18. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  19. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  20. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  21. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  22. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. We are ________________ to obey laws.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. saw — the tool
  4. bound — certain
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. foot — a measure
  7. drill — the tool
  8. bank — of a river
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. perch — for a bird
  11. perch — the fish
  12. perch — for a bird
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. suit — to fit
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. saw — the tool
  17. drill — army training
  18. bound — tied together
  19. bank — for money
  20. drill — a practice
  21. bank — for money
  22. foot — the bottom
  23. suit — in cards
  24. bound — obliged

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