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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: leaves · foot · file · deal · ball · press · bank · can

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  4. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  5. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  6. Did you ________________ the button?
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  9. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  10. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  11. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  15. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. The King held a masked ________________.
  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. bank — for money
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. deal — a big deal
  4. bank — of a river
  5. foot — part of the body
  6. press — to push
  7. can — a tin
  8. deal — to handle
  9. file — a line of people
  10. file — a tool
  11. file — a document
  12. can — to be able to
  13. ball — a great time
  14. press — newspapers
  15. foot — a measure
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. ball — a round shape
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. can — a tin
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. press — a publisher
  22. bank — for money
  23. ball — a dance
  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