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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: mug · deal · stand · bat · content · board · rock · bank

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  7. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  8. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  9. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  10. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  11. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  12. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  17. Where did you ________________ them?
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  24. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. bat — the animal
  4. rock — a stone
  5. mug — a cup
  6. deal — an agreement
  7. board — to get on
  8. bat — in an idiom
  9. deal — a big deal
  10. content — the amount
  11. board — a flat piece
  12. bank — for money
  13. mug — a face
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. deal — to handle
  17. mug — to rob
  18. rock — music
  19. bank — of a river
  20. board — a committee
  21. content — videos and posts
  22. stand — to bear
  23. bat — for baseball
  24. content — happy

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