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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: stand · spell · current · sharp · suit · face · bank · root

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  5. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  6. It's one o'clock ________________.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  9. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  12. I can't ________________ this cold.
  13. How do you ________________ your surname?
  14. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  15. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  16. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  17. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  18. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  19. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  20. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  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. stand — for spectators
  2. root — of a word
  3. current — of water
  4. face — part of the head
  5. sharp — clever
  6. sharp — exactly
  7. suit — to fit
  8. stand — on your feet
  9. face — to confront
  10. suit — clothes
  11. root — the cause
  12. stand — to bear
  13. spell — letters
  14. sharp — with an edge
  15. bank — for money
  16. face — to point toward
  17. spell — magic
  18. current — happening now
  19. root — of a plant
  20. spell — a short time
  21. current — electric
  22. bank — for money
  23. suit — in cards
  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