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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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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: date · bound · stand · bank · can · key · board · dip

  1. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. I can't ________________ this cold.
  5. Have you settled on a ________________?
  6. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  7. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  11. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. That was ________________ to happen.
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  18. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  19. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  20. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  21. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  24. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — tied together
  2. can — a tin
  3. key — for a lock
  4. stand — to bear
  5. date — on the calendar
  6. bank — for money
  7. date — on the calendar
  8. can — a tin
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. date — the fruit
  11. stand — for spectators
  12. bound — obliged
  13. can — to be able to
  14. board — a committee
  15. bound — certain
  16. key — in music
  17. board — to get on
  18. stand — on your feet
  19. bank — of a river
  20. dip — to sink
  21. bank — for money
  22. key — the most important part
  23. dip — a sauce
  24. dip — to dunk

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