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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: cabinet · bound · root · bay · rock · bank · firm · jam

  1. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  2. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  3. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. What do you think of the new ________________?
  7. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  8. My mare is ________________ in color.
  9. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  10. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  11. That was ________________ to happen.
  12. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  13. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  14. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  21. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  22. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  23. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  24. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — in traffic
  2. rock — to move gently
  3. root — of a word
  4. bank — for money
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. bound — tied together
  8. bay — a horse colour
  9. root — of a plant
  10. bay — a part of the sea
  11. bound — certain
  12. firm — steady
  13. cabinet — a cupboard
  14. root — the cause
  15. rock — music
  16. bank — of a river
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. jam — a tight spot
  19. rock — a stone
  20. bank — for money
  21. firm — decided
  22. bound — obliged
  23. bay — to keep at bay
  24. firm — a company

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