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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: bank · mug · rush · present · staff · saw · ground · bay

  1. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  4. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  5. My mare is ________________ in color.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. He works in a ________________ mill.
  10. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  11. There's no middle ________________.
  12. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  15. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  16. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. She's very handy with a ________________.
  21. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  22. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  23. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  24. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. ground — crushed
  4. rush — hurry
  5. bay — a horse colour
  6. mug — to rob
  7. bank — for money
  8. mug — a cup
  9. saw — the tool
  10. present — there
  11. ground — a position
  12. bay — a part of the sea
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. bank — of a river
  15. present — a gift
  16. bank — for money
  17. staff — employees
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. mug — a face
  20. saw — the tool
  21. staff — a stick
  22. ground — the earth
  23. staff — employees
  24. present — the time now

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