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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: sharp · branch · stock · bank · pass · stand · suit · row

  1. The ________________ market has crashed.
  2. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  7. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  8. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. It's one o'clock ________________.
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  17. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. What's the difference between broth and ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. stock — shares
  2. branch — of a bank
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. sharp — with an edge
  5. pass — a permit
  6. row — a line
  7. row — to paddle
  8. branch — of a tree
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. suit — in cards
  12. bank — for money
  13. suit — clothes
  14. sharp — exactly
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. branch — a division
  17. row — a quarrel
  18. stand — to bear
  19. suit — to fit
  20. sharp — clever
  21. bank — of a river
  22. stock — goods
  23. bank — for money
  24. stock — a soup base

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