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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. Don't do anything ________________.
  2. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  6. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  10. That was ________________ to happen.
  11. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  12. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  15. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  20. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  21. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  24. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — hasty
  2. firm — steady
  3. suit — to fit
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. lash — to lash out
  6. firm — a company
  7. bank — of a river
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. bank — for money
  10. bound — certain
  11. bear — the animal
  12. rash — a series
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. bound — tied together
  15. lash — an eyelash
  16. suit — clothes
  17. bank — for money
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. rash — on the skin
  20. bound — obliged
  21. bear — the animal
  22. suit — in cards
  23. bear — to put up with
  24. firm — decided

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