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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: deal · current · key · stem · toast · stand · bank · fine

  1. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  4. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  5. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  6. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  7. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  8. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  16. I can't ________________ this cold.
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  21. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  22. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. deal — an agreement
  2. key — in music
  3. stem — a stem cell
  4. deal — to handle
  5. stand — for spectators
  6. fine — a penalty
  7. stem — of a plant
  8. bank — for money
  9. current — of water
  10. stem — to come from
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. bank — of a river
  13. fine — all right
  14. key — the most important part
  15. bank — for money
  16. stand — to bear
  17. fine — high quality
  18. toast — bread
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. stand — on your feet
  21. toast — a drink to someone
  22. current — happening now
  23. current — electric
  24. key — for a lock

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