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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: rock · lean · pass · bank · face · jam · deal · charge

  1. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  10. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  13. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  14. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  15. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  16. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. bank — for money
  3. lean — to rest against
  4. bank — for money
  5. lean — thin
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. jam — a tight spot
  8. rock — a stone
  9. charge — electricity
  10. face — to point toward
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. deal — to handle
  13. deal — a big deal
  14. face — to confront
  15. deal — an agreement
  16. face — part of the head
  17. charge — in control
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. lean — to bend
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. rock — music
  23. charge — a price
  24. bank — of a river

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