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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.

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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: ground · bank · can · mate · fork · sharp · bound · suit

  1. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  2. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  3. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  4. It's one o'clock ________________.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. Have you found your soul ________________?
  7. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  12. There's no middle ________________.
  13. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  14. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  17. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  18. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. That was ________________ to happen.
  24. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.

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

Answer key

  1. fork — in a road
  2. bound — obliged
  3. ground — the earth
  4. sharp — exactly
  5. can — a tin
  6. mate — a partner
  7. bound — tied together
  8. suit — clothes
  9. bank — for money
  10. can — a tin
  11. bank — of a river
  12. ground — a position
  13. sharp — with an edge
  14. sharp — clever
  15. suit — in cards
  16. fork — to eat with
  17. ground — crushed
  18. fork — a garden tool
  19. suit — to fit
  20. bank — for money
  21. can — to be able to
  22. mate — a friend
  23. bound — certain
  24. mate — to breed

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