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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
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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: spring · stand · jam · mark · lash · date · suit · present

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  5. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  8. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  12. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  13. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  16. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  17. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  18. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. Have you settled on a ________________?
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. suit — clothes
  3. suit — to fit
  4. present — there
  5. spring — the season
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. spring — of water
  8. date — the fruit
  9. mark — a trace
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. lash — to lash out
  12. present — a gift
  13. mark — a grade
  14. stand — to bear
  15. present — the time now
  16. jam — in traffic
  17. spring — a coil
  18. jam — a tight spot
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. date — on the calendar
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. date — on the calendar
  24. suit — in cards

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