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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: lash · suit · key · fall · bank · pass · deal · wound

  1. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  3. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  4. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  9. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  10. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  13. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  16. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. This piece is in a major ________________.
  24. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — to handle
  2. lash — a whip stroke
  3. deal — a big deal
  4. key — for a lock
  5. pass — a permit
  6. lash — an eyelash
  7. bank — of a river
  8. wound — an injury
  9. wound — an injury
  10. fall — to drop
  11. suit — in cards
  12. bank — for money
  13. bank — for money
  14. key — the most important part
  15. deal — an agreement
  16. fall — to drop
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. wound — past of 'wind'
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. suit — clothes
  21. suit — to fit
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. key — in music
  24. fall — the season

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