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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: foot · prune · lie · coach · bank · rest · jam · board

  1. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  2. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  3. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  4. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  5. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  6. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  7. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  16. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  17. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  18. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  19. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  20. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  21. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. Have you met the new head ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. rest — what's left
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. jam — to spread on bread
  4. prune — to trim
  5. prune — to trim
  6. rest — a break
  7. foot — a measure
  8. bank — of a river
  9. bank — for money
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. board — a committee
  15. prune — the fruit
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. foot — the bottom
  18. rest — what's left
  19. foot — part of the body
  20. bank — for money
  21. coach — pulled by horses
  22. lie — to recline
  23. board — to get on
  24. coach — a trainer

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