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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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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: jam · pound · safe · leaves · can · straw · bank · bore

  1. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  3. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  6. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  10. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  11. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  18. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  23. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  24. Tom got himself in a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. pound — a weight
  3. bank — for money
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. bank — for money
  6. pound — for dogs
  7. can — to be able to
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. straw — to clutch at straws
  10. leaves — lets stay
  11. bore — to tire
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. pound — to hit hard
  14. can — a tin
  15. jam — to spread on bread
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. bore — gave birth
  18. bank — of a river
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. can — a tin
  22. straw — dry grass
  23. straw — a straw man
  24. jam — a tight spot

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