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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: deal · mug · board · bore · bank · saw · can · cabinet

  1. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  2. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  7. She's very handy with a ________________.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. He works in a ________________ mill.
  10. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  11. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  14. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  15. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  23. What do you think of the new ________________?
  24. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.

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

Answer key

  1. board — to get on
  2. mug — a face
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. can — a tin
  5. can — to be able to
  6. bank — of a river
  7. saw — the tool
  8. mug — a cup
  9. saw — the tool
  10. deal — to handle
  11. bore — to tire
  12. mug — to rob
  13. board — a flat piece
  14. bank — for money
  15. bank — for money
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. saw — past of 'see'
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. bore — gave birth
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. can — a tin
  22. bore — to drill
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. board — a committee

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