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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: jam · bore · fork · ball · sharp · bank · bound · chip

  1. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  2. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  3. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  4. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  5. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  6. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  7. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  10. That was ________________ to happen.
  11. It's one o'clock ________________.
  12. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  15. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  16. The King held a masked ________________.
  17. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  18. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  19. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  20. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  21. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  22. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  23. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  24. The kitten curled into a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. fork — in a road
  2. chip — to eat
  3. ball — a great time
  4. sharp — clever
  5. chip — in a computer
  6. fork — a garden tool
  7. chip — for betting
  8. bore — to drill
  9. bank — for money
  10. bound — certain
  11. sharp — exactly
  12. fork — to eat with
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. bound — tied together
  15. sharp — with an edge
  16. ball — a dance
  17. bound — obliged
  18. bore — gave birth
  19. bank — of a river
  20. bore — to tire
  21. jam — in traffic
  22. jam — a tight spot
  23. bank — for money
  24. ball — a round shape

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