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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 · current · wind · leaves · can · fan · racket · stick

  1. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  12. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  13. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  14. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  17. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  22. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  23. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. current — happening now
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. can — a tin
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. current — of water
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. bank — of a river
  10. current — electric
  11. wind — to turn a key
  12. bank — for money
  13. racket — a loud noise
  14. wind — moving air
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. wind — moving air
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. can — a tin
  19. bank — for money
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. stick — to attach or keep to
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. can — to be able to

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