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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: prune · suit · bank · object · cabinet · wind · arm · plane

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  5. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  14. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  15. My father caught me by the ________________.
  16. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  17. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  18. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. What do you think of the new ________________?
  22. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  23. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. arm — part of the body
  3. plane — a tool
  4. prune — to trim
  5. object — a thing
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. bank — for money
  8. bank — of a river
  9. wind — moving air
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. arm — a part of something
  12. suit — to fit
  13. prune — the fruit
  14. object — an aim
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. prune — to trim
  17. wind — moving air
  18. cabinet — a cupboard
  19. suit — in cards
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. wind — to turn a key
  23. object — to protest
  24. suit — clothes

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