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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 120 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: can · pop · perch · stand · board · ground · racket · bank

  1. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  6. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  7. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. We're almost out of ________________.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  13. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  14. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  15. There's no middle ________________.
  16. You don't need to ________________ round.
  17. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  18. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  19. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  20. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  21. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  22. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — the earth
  2. bank — for money
  3. bank — for money
  4. can — to be able to
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. racket — a loud noise
  7. stand — on your feet
  8. stand — to bear
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. pop — soda
  11. can — a tin
  12. perch — for a bird
  13. bank — of a river
  14. perch — for a bird
  15. ground — a position
  16. pop — to visit
  17. stand — for spectators
  18. ground — crushed
  19. pop — music
  20. board — to get on
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. perch — the fish
  23. can — a tin
  24. board — a committee

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