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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 116 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: spell · tear · pass · saw · fine · stand · bank · wave

  1. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  4. I cannot shed a ________________ for that horrible man.
  5. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  6. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  9. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. It is only in accepting others that we can ________________ down our own barriers.
  15. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  18. Drying a ________________ is more honorable than shedding torrents of blood.
  19. I can't ________________ this cold.
  20. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  21. How do you ________________ your surname?
  22. She's very handy with a ________________.
  23. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  24. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. pass — a permit
  3. fine — all right
  4. tear — from crying
  5. bank — for money
  6. saw — past of 'see'
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. spell — a short time
  9. bank — for money
  10. fine — high quality
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. wave — with your hand
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. tear — to rip
  15. bank — of a river
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. stand — for spectators
  18. tear — from crying
  19. stand — to bear
  20. wave — of the sea
  21. spell — letters
  22. saw — the tool
  23. wave — a sudden rise
  24. spell — magic

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