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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: pitcher · rush · bank · pop · lie · arm · bore · key

  1. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. You don't need to ________________ round.
  3. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  4. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  7. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  8. We're almost out of ________________.
  9. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  10. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  11. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  12. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  13. My father caught me by the ________________.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  16. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. He is an ace ________________.
  19. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  24. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. pop — to visit
  3. bank — for money
  4. bore — to drill
  5. key — the most important part
  6. bore — gave birth
  7. bore — to tire
  8. pop — soda
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. bank — of a river
  11. pop — music
  12. bank — for money
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. key — in music
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. rush — to hurry
  17. rush — hurry
  18. pitcher — in baseball
  19. pitcher — a jug
  20. lie — to recline
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. key — for a lock
  23. pitcher — a jug
  24. arm — a part of something

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