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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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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: calf · bank · bass · stand · can · staff · bound · shower

  1. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  2. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  5. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  8. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  9. I can't ________________ this cold.
  10. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  13. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  16. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  17. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  18. That was ________________ to happen.
  19. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  20. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  24. We are ________________ to obey laws.

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

Answer key

  1. shower — rain
  2. bass — the fish
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. bass — the instrument
  5. staff — a stick
  6. can — to be able to
  7. bound — tied together
  8. bank — for money
  9. stand — to bear
  10. staff — employees
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. bank — of a river
  13. staff — employees
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. shower — a meteor shower
  17. bass — low music
  18. bound — certain
  19. shower — to wash
  20. stand — for spectators
  21. can — a tin
  22. can — a tin
  23. bank — for money
  24. bound — obliged

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