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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: row · suit · deal · leaves · bank · tube · lean · snap

  1. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  2. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  8. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  13. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  16. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. I'll be taking the ________________.
  20. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  23. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  24. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. snap — to speak sharply
  3. suit — to fit
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. lean — to bend
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. bank — for money
  8. lean — thin
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. row — a line
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. tube — a container
  13. deal — to handle
  14. suit — clothes
  15. row — a quarrel
  16. tube — in a tire
  17. suit — in cards
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. tube — the underground
  20. lean — to rest against
  21. bank — of a river
  22. row — to paddle
  23. snap — to snap out of it
  24. snap — to click

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