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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: bank · plane · fine · wave · patient · pound · leaves · can

  1. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  6. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  7. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  20. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  21. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  22. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  24. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — lets stay
  2. can — to be able to
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. can — a tin
  5. patient — a sick person
  6. patient — a sick person
  7. pound — a weight
  8. bank — of a river
  9. fine — high quality
  10. wave — a sudden rise
  11. bank — for money
  12. can — a tin
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. wave — of the sea
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. bank — for money
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. patient — calm and waiting
  20. pound — to hit hard
  21. pound — for dogs
  22. wave — with your hand
  23. fine — all right
  24. plane — a tool

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