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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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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: racket · lie · safe · bank · ball · hide · pop · toast

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  3. The King held a masked ________________.
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  6. You don't need to ________________ round.
  7. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  8. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  9. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  16. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  17. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  20. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  21. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  22. We're almost out of ________________.
  23. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  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. bank — for money
  2. hide — to keep secret
  3. ball — a dance
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. pop — to visit
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. hide — animal skin
  13. toast — bread
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. racket — for tennis
  16. pop — music
  17. ball — a round shape
  18. lie — to recline
  19. toast — the most admired
  20. ball — a great time
  21. bank — for money
  22. pop — soda
  23. racket — a loud noise
  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