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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: bear · current · bank · rest · stand · leaves · ruler · coach

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  6. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  9. I can't ________________ this cold.
  10. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  11. Have you met the new head ________________?
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  20. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  21. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. bank — for money
  3. current — happening now
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. bear — the animal
  6. rest — what's left
  7. bank — of a river
  8. coach — pulled by horses
  9. stand — to bear
  10. bear — the animal
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. rest — what's left
  15. current — electric
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. rest — a break
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. bear — to put up with
  20. stand — on your feet
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. current — of water
  23. stand — for spectators
  24. bank — for money

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