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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. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  2. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  3. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  4. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  8. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  11. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  17. Did you ________________ the meat?
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. That must've been a ________________.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. season — in sport
  2. rush — to hurry
  3. bank — for money
  4. track — a path
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. track — a song
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. track — to keep track
  11. season — of the year
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. stand — to bear
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. lie — to recline
  17. season — to add flavour
  18. mug — a face
  19. rush — a thrill
  20. mug — to rob
  21. bank — of a river
  22. rush — hurry
  23. bank — for money
  24. mug — a cup

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