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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.

Words on the sheet
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: stand · staff · toast · wave · suit · bass · rock · key

  1. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  7. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  8. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  16. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  17. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  21. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  22. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — music
  2. suit — in cards
  3. rock — a stone
  4. bass — low music
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. staff — employees
  7. stand — on your feet
  8. toast — a drink to someone
  9. key — in music
  10. wave — of the sea
  11. suit — clothes
  12. key — for a lock
  13. wave — with your hand
  14. suit — to fit
  15. staff — employees
  16. stand — for spectators
  17. staff — a stick
  18. key — the most important part
  19. toast — bread
  20. bass — the instrument
  21. bass — the fish
  22. wave — a sudden rise
  23. stand — to bear
  24. rock — to move gently

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