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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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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: bank · toast · rush · ball · bound · club · track · bowl

  1. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  2. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  5. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  6. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  7. That was ________________ to happen.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  11. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  15. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  19. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  20. The King held a masked ________________.
  21. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  24. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — tied together
  2. track — to keep track
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. bank — of a river
  5. bound — obliged
  6. track — a song
  7. bound — certain
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. bowl — a dish
  11. club — a group
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. ball — a great time
  14. toast — bread
  15. bank — for money
  16. rush — hurry
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. club — for dancing
  19. bowl — to roll
  20. ball — a dance
  21. track — a path
  22. bank — for money
  23. club — for golf
  24. bowl — a football final

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