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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: lean · rush · pitcher · deal · rash · bore · stand · bank

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  3. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  4. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  7. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  10. I can't ________________ this cold.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  13. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  14. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  15. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. Don't do anything ________________.
  18. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  22. He is an ace ________________.
  23. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  24. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. bore — gave birth
  3. deal — a big deal
  4. deal — to handle
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. bank — of a river
  7. lean — thin
  8. bore — to drill
  9. bank — for money
  10. stand — to bear
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. rash — on the skin
  13. lean — to bend
  14. lean — to rest against
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. rash — hasty
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. rush — hurry
  21. rash — a series
  22. pitcher — in baseball
  23. bore — to tire
  24. bank — for money

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