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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: perch · suit · bank · prune · rush · bear · lash · club

  1. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  2. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  3. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  4. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  5. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  6. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  7. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  10. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  11. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  16. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  20. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  23. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  24. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — of a river
  2. club — for golf
  3. perch — the fish
  4. bear — the animal
  5. prune — to trim
  6. rush — hurry
  7. lash — an eyelash
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. club — a group
  10. club — for dancing
  11. bear — to put up with
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. bank — for money
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. prune — to trim
  17. suit — clothes
  18. suit — to fit
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. prune — the fruit
  21. suit — in cards
  22. bank — for money
  23. bear — the animal
  24. lash — to lash out

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