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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: cabinet · stand · branch · lash · wound · wave · rush · suit

  1. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  2. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  3. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  4. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  5. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  6. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  13. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. What do you think of the new ________________?
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  20. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  21. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  22. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — of the sea
  2. wave — a sudden rise
  3. wound — an injury
  4. wound — an injury
  5. branch — of a tree
  6. lash — an eyelash
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. suit — in cards
  10. rush — to hurry
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. branch — of a bank
  13. wound — past of 'wind'
  14. suit — to fit
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. wave — with your hand
  18. stand — to bear
  19. branch — a division
  20. stand — for spectators
  21. stand — on your feet
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. suit — clothes
  24. rush — hurry

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