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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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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: bound · stand · stick · leaves · mug · season · object · sharp

  1. That was ________________ to happen.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. I can't ________________ this cold.
  5. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  6. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  7. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  14. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  17. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  20. It's one o'clock ________________.
  21. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. Did you ________________ the meat?
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. bound — certain
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. stand — to bear
  5. sharp — with an edge
  6. season — of the year
  7. season — in sport
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. mug — to rob
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. object — a thing
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. object — an aim
  15. mug — a face
  16. bound — obliged
  17. bound — tied together
  18. mug — a cup
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. sharp — exactly
  21. sharp — clever
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. season — to add flavour
  24. object — to protest

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