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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: drill · charge · key · fine · ruler · cabinet · bank · fan

  1. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  4. What do you think of the new ________________?
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  9. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  10. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  11. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. This piece is in a major ________________.
  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. fine — a penalty
  2. bank — for money
  3. fine — high quality
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. charge — in control
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. drill — the tool
  9. cabinet — a cupboard
  10. drill — a practice
  11. drill — army training
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. fine — all right
  16. charge — a price
  17. charge — electricity
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. key — for a lock
  21. bank — for money
  22. key — the most important part
  23. key — in music
  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