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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 116 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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  7. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  8. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  11. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  12. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  17. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  18. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  19. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  20. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  21. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. bank — of a river
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. track — a song
  7. track — to keep track
  8. track — a path
  9. suit — in cards
  10. bank — for money
  11. fall — the season
  12. pound — a weight
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. fall — to drop
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. fall — to drop
  17. pound — to hit hard
  18. wound — an injury
  19. wound — past of 'wind'
  20. pound — for dogs
  21. wound — an injury
  22. pass — a permit
  23. suit — clothes
  24. bank — for money

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