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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: pit · bank · current · foot · dip · fan · safe · prune

  1. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  2. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  3. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  4. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  8. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  9. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  10. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  13. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  16. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  19. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  23. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — the fruit
  2. dip — to dunk
  3. foot — the bottom
  4. fan — to cool the air
  5. current — of water
  6. current — happening now
  7. bank — for money
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. prune — to trim
  10. prune — to trim
  11. bank — for money
  12. pit — a hole
  13. dip — to sink
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. foot — part of the body
  16. current — electric
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. dip — a sauce
  19. pit — in a race
  20. bank — of a river
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. pit — a fruit stone
  23. foot — a measure
  24. safe — a strongbox

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