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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 116 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
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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: bowl · pit · bank · degree · current · can · bound · stick

  1. That was ________________ to happen.
  2. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  5. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  6. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  7. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  8. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  9. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  10. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  13. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  14. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  15. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  16. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — certain
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. can — a tin
  4. pit — a fruit stone
  5. bound — obliged
  6. degree — an amount
  7. stick — to attach or keep to
  8. pit — in a race
  9. current — happening now
  10. bound — tied together
  11. can — a tin
  12. bowl — to roll
  13. degree — temperature
  14. bowl — a football final
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. degree — from a university
  17. can — to be able to
  18. current — of water
  19. pit — a hole
  20. bank — of a river
  21. current — electric
  22. bank — for money
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. bank — for money

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