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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 · can · object · capital · fine · bulb · stick · present

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. I've got to change the light ________________.
  3. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  4. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  5. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  6. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  7. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.
  10. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  15. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  19. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  20. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. bulb — for light
  3. present — there
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. object — an aim
  6. object — a thing
  7. capital — a big letter
  8. can — a tin
  9. capital — money
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. fine — all right
  13. can — a tin
  14. capital — a city
  15. present — a gift
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. can — to be able to
  18. object — to protest
  19. stick — to attach or keep to
  20. present — the time now
  21. fine — high quality
  22. bulb — for light
  23. bank — for money
  24. bank — of a river

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