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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: bank · leaves · net · ruler · clip · foot · board · safe

  1. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  2. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  3. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  4. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  12. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  16. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  17. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  18. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  21. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  22. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  23. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. clip — to cut
  2. bank — of a river
  3. foot — a measure
  4. board — a flat piece
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. board — a committee
  11. clip — for paper
  12. net — in sport
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. foot — part of the body
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. bank — for money
  18. board — to get on
  19. bank — for money
  20. foot — the bottom
  21. clip — a video
  22. net — for catching
  23. net — after costs
  24. leaves — lets stay

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