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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 120 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: chip · snap · bank · bound · board · pit · racket · season

  1. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  9. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  10. That was ________________ to happen.
  11. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  12. Did you ________________ the meat?
  13. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  14. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  15. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  16. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  17. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  18. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  21. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  22. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  23. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  24. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. racket — a loud noise
  3. bound — tied together
  4. pit — a hole
  5. board — to get on
  6. snap — to click
  7. bank — of a river
  8. season — of the year
  9. chip — in a computer
  10. bound — certain
  11. season — in sport
  12. season — to add flavour
  13. racket — for tennis
  14. chip — to eat
  15. snap — to speak sharply
  16. chip — for betting
  17. pit — a fruit stone
  18. board — a flat piece
  19. bank — for money
  20. racket — for tennis
  21. bank — for money
  22. snap — to snap out of it
  23. bound — obliged
  24. board — a committee

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