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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. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  10. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  14. Did you ________________ the meat?
  15. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  18. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. key — in music
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. deal — a big deal
  8. can — a tin
  9. bank — of a river
  10. mug — a face
  11. key — for a lock
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. deal — to handle
  14. season — to add flavour
  15. season — in sport
  16. key — the most important part
  17. bank — for money
  18. season — of the year
  19. mug — to rob
  20. stand — to bear
  21. mug — a cup
  22. bank — for money
  23. can — a tin
  24. stand — on your feet

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