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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.

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: coach · stick · bound · hand · mouse · lash · stand · root

  1. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  4. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  7. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  8. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  9. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  10. That was ________________ to happen.
  11. Have you met the new head ________________?
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  14. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  17. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  18. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  22. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  23. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  24. I can't ________________ this cold.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. root — the cause
  3. stand — for spectators
  4. lash — a whip stroke
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. hand — part of the body
  7. lash — an eyelash
  8. bound — tied together
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. bound — certain
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. bound — obliged
  13. lash — to lash out
  14. root — of a plant
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. hand — help
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. root — of a word
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. hand — in cards
  24. stand — to bear

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