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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: wave · leaves · bank · stand · hand · ruler · wound · tube

  1. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  5. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  8. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  9. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  10. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  13. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. I'll be taking the ________________.
  16. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  17. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. I can't ________________ this cold.
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  22. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  23. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  24. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. wave — of the sea
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. hand — help
  5. stand — for spectators
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. wound — past of 'wind'
  8. hand — in cards
  9. tube — a container
  10. hand — part of the body
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. bank — of a river
  13. wound — an injury
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. tube — the underground
  16. wave — with your hand
  17. stand — on your feet
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. stand — to bear
  20. bank — for money
  21. tube — in a tire
  22. bank — for money
  23. wave — a sudden rise
  24. wound — an injury

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