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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: straw · suit · vault · jam · bank · mine · lash · pass

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  4. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  5. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  10. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  16. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  17. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  18. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  19. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. bank — for money
  3. vault — an arched ceiling
  4. lash — an eyelash
  5. straw — to clutch at straws
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. suit — to fit
  9. vault — in gymnastics
  10. mine — an explosive
  11. pass — a permit
  12. suit — in cards
  13. lash — a whip stroke
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. mine — belonging to me
  16. mine — for digging
  17. vault — a safe
  18. bank — of a river
  19. straw — a straw man
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. straw — dry grass
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. bank — for money
  24. suit — clothes

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