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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: pass · craft · bank · lie · tube · cabinet · bay · foot

  1. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  8. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. I'll be taking the ________________.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  18. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  19. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  20. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  21. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  22. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  23. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  24. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.

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

Answer key

  1. craft — a handicraft
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. pass — a permit
  4. bank — for money
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. lie — to recline
  7. foot — a measure
  8. tube — a container
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. foot — the bottom
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. tube — the underground
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. bank — for money
  18. craft — boats
  19. bank — of a river
  20. bay — to keep at bay
  21. foot — part of the body
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. craft — a skill
  24. tube — in a tire

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