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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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468
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: mug · bank · file · dip · can · pass · rash · staff

  1. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  5. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  6. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. Don't do anything ________________.
  12. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  13. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  14. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  17. Where did you ________________ them?
  18. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  22. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  23. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  24. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a tool
  2. rash — a series
  3. can — a tin
  4. staff — employees
  5. file — a document
  6. bank — of a river
  7. mug — a cup
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. pass — a permit
  10. can — a tin
  11. rash — hasty
  12. file — a line of people
  13. dip — to dunk
  14. bank — for money
  15. can — to be able to
  16. bank — for money
  17. mug — to rob
  18. staff — employees
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. mug — a face
  21. rash — on the skin
  22. staff — a stick
  23. dip — a sauce
  24. dip — to sink

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