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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
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: wound · bank · ruler · track · leaves · can · bowl · calf

  1. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  3. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  4. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  5. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  8. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  14. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  15. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  19. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  20. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  24. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. wound — an injury
  3. bank — for money
  4. track — to keep track
  5. track — a song
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. track — a path
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. wound — an injury
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. can — a tin
  13. bank — for money
  14. bowl — to roll
  15. bowl — a dish
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. can — to be able to
  18. calf — of the leg
  19. wound — past of 'wind'
  20. bowl — a football final
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. leaves — of a tree
  24. bank — of a river

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