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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: band · squash · lean · rock · leaves · lash · pass · bay

  1. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  2. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. My mare is ________________ in color.
  6. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  7. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  10. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  11. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  18. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.

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

Answer key

  1. lean — to rest against
  2. bay — a part of the sea
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. rock — a stone
  5. bay — a horse colour
  6. lash — an eyelash
  7. squash — to crush
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. band — a ring
  10. band — a rubber band
  11. band — a music group
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. squash — the sport
  14. rock — music
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. lean — to bend
  18. lean — thin
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. squash — the vegetable
  23. pass — a permit
  24. lash — to lash out

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