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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: stand · leaves · patient · suit · coach · tube · branch · staff

  1. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  2. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  5. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  11. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  14. I'll be taking the ________________.
  15. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  16. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  17. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  18. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  21. Have you met the new head ________________?
  22. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — on your feet
  2. branch — of a tree
  3. suit — to fit
  4. branch — of a bank
  5. tube — in a tire
  6. stand — to bear
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. branch — a division
  9. suit — clothes
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. staff — a stick
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. tube — a container
  14. tube — the underground
  15. staff — employees
  16. stand — for spectators
  17. coach — pulled by horses
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. patient — calm and waiting
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. patient — a sick person
  23. suit — in cards
  24. staff — employees

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