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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: lash · ball · jam · drill · foot · lie · trunk · bank

  1. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  6. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  7. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  8. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  9. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  10. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  11. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  12. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  13. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  14. The King held a masked ________________.
  15. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  16. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  19. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  24. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. drill — a practice
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. foot — part of the body
  4. bank — for money
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. lash — an eyelash
  7. ball — a great time
  8. foot — a measure
  9. drill — army training
  10. lie — to recline
  11. jam — a tight spot
  12. drill — the tool
  13. ball — a round shape
  14. ball — a dance
  15. trunk — of a car
  16. foot — the bottom
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. jam — in traffic
  19. bank — for money
  20. bank — of a river
  21. trunk — of an elephant
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. lash — a whip stroke

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