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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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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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  9. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  10. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  13. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  14. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  15. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  16. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  19. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  20. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  21. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  22. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  23. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  24. Recycle the empty soda ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. bark — to shout
  3. mug — to rob
  4. mug — a cup
  5. can — a tin
  6. bark — of a tree
  7. can — to be able to
  8. stand — on your feet
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. hide — animal skin
  11. mug — a face
  12. bank — for money
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. track — a path
  15. bark — a dog's sound
  16. track — a song
  17. stand — to bear
  18. stand — for spectators
  19. track — to keep track
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. bank — for money
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. bank — of a river
  24. can — a tin

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