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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
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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: mine · can · calf · wave · dip · cabinet · bank · deal

  1. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  10. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  14. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  19. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  24. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.

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

Answer key

  1. mine — belonging to me
  2. can — a tin
  3. wave — a sudden rise
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. dip — to sink
  8. bank — of a river
  9. deal — an agreement
  10. mine — an explosive
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. deal — to handle
  14. bank — for money
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. wave — with your hand
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. bank — for money
  19. mine — for digging
  20. can — a tin
  21. dip — a sauce
  22. can — to be able to
  23. wave — of the sea
  24. dip — to dunk

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