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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: bank · pitch · can · ball · key · board · arm · snap

  1. The King held a masked ________________.
  2. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  5. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  6. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  7. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  8. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  9. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  10. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  11. My father caught me by the ________________.
  12. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  17. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  20. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  21. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  24. ________________ games are popular in Germany.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a dance
  2. bank — for money
  3. can — a tin
  4. key — the most important part
  5. ball — a round shape
  6. arm — a part of something
  7. snap — to click
  8. pitch — completely
  9. snap — to speak sharply
  10. snap — to snap out of it
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. pitch — a sales talk
  13. board — a committee
  14. can — to be able to
  15. can — a tin
  16. bank — of a river
  17. pitch — a sports field
  18. key — in music
  19. board — to get on
  20. arm — part of the body
  21. ball — a great time
  22. key — for a lock
  23. bank — for money
  24. board — a flat piece

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