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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: pass · date · spell · bank · staff · wave · firm · chest

  1. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. The lid of the ________________ creaked open.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  6. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  7. Have you settled on a ________________?
  8. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  9. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  10. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. She laid her head on my ________________ so she could listen to my heartbeat.
  13. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  14. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  15. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  16. I felt an uncomfortable tightness in my ________________.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  19. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  20. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  21. How do you ________________ your surname?
  22. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  23. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  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. date — the fruit
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. chest — a box
  4. pass — a permit
  5. wave — a sudden rise
  6. spell — a short time
  7. date — on the calendar
  8. date — on the calendar
  9. bank — for money
  10. spell — magic
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. chest — of your body
  13. bank — for money
  14. firm — steady
  15. wave — of the sea
  16. chest — of your body
  17. staff — employees
  18. firm — decided
  19. staff — employees
  20. staff — a stick
  21. spell — letters
  22. wave — with your hand
  23. firm — a company
  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