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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: march · rush · track · can · lash · stand · suit · deal

  1. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  13. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  16. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  19. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  22. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — on your feet
  2. deal — to handle
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. can — a tin
  5. suit — to fit
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. suit — in cards
  8. can — to be able to
  9. track — a song
  10. rush — hurry
  11. suit — clothes
  12. deal — a big deal
  13. march — music
  14. can — a tin
  15. track — a path
  16. stand — for spectators
  17. stand — to bear
  18. track — to keep track
  19. deal — an agreement
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. march — the month
  22. lash — to lash out
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. march — the month

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