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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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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: row · mark · rule · leaves · firm · bank · suit · perch

  1. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  2. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  3. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  4. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  7. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  11. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  14. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  15. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  16. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. I had a ________________ with my boss today.

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

Answer key

  1. rule — a law
  2. rule — to rule out
  3. firm — a company
  4. row — to paddle
  5. suit — clothes
  6. firm — decided
  7. bank — for money
  8. bank — of a river
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. perch — for a bird
  11. mark — a trace
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. bank — for money
  14. perch — the fish
  15. row — a line
  16. perch — for a bird
  17. suit — to fit
  18. rule — government
  19. mark — a grade
  20. suit — in cards
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. firm — steady
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. row — a quarrel

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