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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 · rush · fall · bass · can · bound · dip · bank

  1. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  4. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  5. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  6. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  15. I can't ________________ this cold.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  18. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. That was ________________ to happen.
  24. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — tied together
  2. bank — for money
  3. stand — for spectators
  4. bass — low music
  5. bound — obliged
  6. bass — the fish
  7. bank — of a river
  8. can — to be able to
  9. fall — the season
  10. can — a tin
  11. bank — for money
  12. dip — a sauce
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. dip — to sink
  15. stand — to bear
  16. can — a tin
  17. dip — to dunk
  18. bass — the instrument
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. fall — to drop
  21. rush — hurry
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. bound — certain
  24. fall — to drop

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