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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. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  4. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  5. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  6. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  9. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  14. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  15. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  16. I can't ________________ this cold.
  17. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  18. Did you ________________ the meat?
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  21. That was ________________ to happen.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  24. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. bank — of a river
  4. stand — for spectators
  5. season — in sport
  6. bank — for money
  7. can — to be able to
  8. stand — on your feet
  9. kid — child
  10. can — a tin
  11. kid — to tease
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. branch — of a bank
  14. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  15. bound — tied together
  16. stand — to bear
  17. branch — a division
  18. season — to add flavour
  19. pass — a permit
  20. season — of the year
  21. bound — certain
  22. bank — for money
  23. bound — obliged
  24. branch — of a tree

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