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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: bank · rash · fall · squash · rock · bound · safe · bowl

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  4. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  5. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  6. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  13. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  14. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  15. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  16. That was ________________ to happen.
  17. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  20. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  23. Don't do anything ________________.
  24. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. rock — a stone
  3. fall — to drop
  4. fall — to drop
  5. bank — of a river
  6. bound — tied together
  7. bound — obliged
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. bank — for money
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. rock — music
  12. squash — the vegetable
  13. rash — a series
  14. bowl — to roll
  15. bowl — a football final
  16. bound — certain
  17. fall — the season
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. squash — to crush
  20. squash — the sport
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. rash — on the skin
  23. rash — hasty
  24. bowl — a dish

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