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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: spell · stand · mine · wave · bulb · mouse · pitcher · bank

  1. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  2. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  3. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  4. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. How do you ________________ your surname?
  10. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  13. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  16. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  19. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  20. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  21. He is an ace ________________.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  24. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. wave — a sudden rise
  3. wave — with your hand
  4. bank — of a river
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. mine — an explosive
  7. bulb — for light
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. spell — letters
  10. spell — a short time
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. spell — magic
  13. bank — for money
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. mine — for digging
  16. wave — of the sea
  17. bulb — for light
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. mouse — for a computer
  20. mine — belonging to me
  21. pitcher — in baseball
  22. stand — to bear
  23. pitcher — a jug
  24. stand — for spectators

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