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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 · cabinet · rock · current · bowl · date · bank · mark

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  4. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  10. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  13. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  17. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. Have you settled on a ________________?
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  24. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.

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. bowl — to roll
  4. bank — of a river
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. bank — for money
  7. current — happening now
  8. current — electric
  9. date — the fruit
  10. date — on the calendar
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. bowl — a dish
  13. jam — in traffic
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. mark — a trace
  16. mark — a grade
  17. rock — to move gently
  18. rock — music
  19. date — on the calendar
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. cabinet — a cupboard
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. current — of water
  24. bowl — a football final

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