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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 120 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: file · bound · can · board · stand · pass · snap · suit

  1. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  7. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  8. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  9. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  10. That was ________________ to happen.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  22. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  23. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  24. I can't ________________ this cold.

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. can — a tin
  4. suit — in cards
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. snap — to click
  7. file — a line of people
  8. file — a tool
  9. snap — to speak sharply
  10. bound — certain
  11. bound — obliged
  12. board — to get on
  13. stand — for spectators
  14. suit — clothes
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. board — a committee
  17. can — a tin
  18. suit — to fit
  19. bound — tied together
  20. pass — a permit
  21. snap — to snap out of it
  22. stand — on your feet
  23. file — a document
  24. stand — to bear

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