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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: wave · wound · suit · lean · mark · patient · stand · fan

  1. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  4. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  5. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  6. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. I can't ________________ this cold.
  10. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  11. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  12. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  16. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  17. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  18. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  19. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  22. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.

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

Answer key

  1. wound — past of 'wind'
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. patient — calm and waiting
  4. lean — to rest against
  5. wound — an injury
  6. stand — on your feet
  7. suit — clothes
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. stand — to bear
  10. lean — to bend
  11. wave — a sudden rise
  12. wave — of the sea
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. mark — a grade
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. lean — thin
  18. fan — to cool the air
  19. mark — a trace
  20. suit — to fit
  21. wave — with your hand
  22. wound — an injury
  23. suit — in cards
  24. patient — a sick person

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