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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 116 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: net · kid · wax · fine · bank · wake · bowl · board

  1. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  2. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  3. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  4. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  5. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  6. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  7. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  8. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  9. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  13. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  14. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  15. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  16. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  17. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  18. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  19. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  20. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. wake — a trail
  2. net — for catching
  3. bank — for money
  4. fine — a penalty
  5. bank — of a river
  6. wax — to grow
  7. wax — for sculpting
  8. wake — to stop sleeping
  9. net — in sport
  10. board — a committee
  11. fine — all right
  12. bowl — to roll
  13. board — a flat piece
  14. kid — child
  15. net — after costs
  16. wake — before a funeral
  17. board — to get on
  18. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  19. bowl — a dish
  20. kid — to tease
  21. fine — high quality
  22. bowl — a football final
  23. bank — for money
  24. wax — in the ear

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