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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: bank · file · lie · current · fine · arm · suit · drill

  1. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  2. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  3. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. My father caught me by the ________________.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  10. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  11. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  15. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  16. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  23. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — all right
  2. file — a line of people
  3. bank — for money
  4. suit — clothes
  5. bank — of a river
  6. suit — to fit
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. fine — a penalty
  10. drill — a practice
  11. drill — army training
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. current — electric
  14. file — a document
  15. drill — the tool
  16. arm — a part of something
  17. current — of water
  18. arm — part of the body
  19. lie — to recline
  20. bank — for money
  21. fine — high quality
  22. current — happening now
  23. file — a tool
  24. suit — in cards

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