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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 · bore · rock · current · can · ground · spell · straw

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  6. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  7. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  8. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  9. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  10. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  14. There's no middle ________________.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. How do you ________________ your surname?
  19. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. current — happening now
  3. spell — a short time
  4. can — a tin
  5. bore — gave birth
  6. spell — magic
  7. bank — for money
  8. straw — to clutch at straws
  9. bank — of a river
  10. ground — crushed
  11. can — a tin
  12. can — to be able to
  13. bore — to drill
  14. ground — a position
  15. current — electric
  16. straw — dry grass
  17. current — of water
  18. spell — letters
  19. straw — a straw man
  20. rock — music
  21. ground — the earth
  22. bank — for money
  23. bore — to tire
  24. rock — to move gently

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