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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: bound · stand · firm · bay · racket · bowl · file · charge

  1. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  2. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  3. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  4. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  5. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  6. That was ________________ to happen.
  7. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  8. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  9. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  10. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  11. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  12. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  13. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  14. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  15. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  16. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. My mare is ________________ in color.
  19. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  20. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  24. I can't ________________ this cold.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — on your feet
  2. bowl — a football final
  3. charge — in control
  4. stand — for spectators
  5. firm — decided
  6. bound — certain
  7. firm — steady
  8. bowl — a dish
  9. bowl — to roll
  10. racket — a loud noise
  11. file — a document
  12. file — a tool
  13. file — a line of people
  14. racket — for tennis
  15. firm — a company
  16. racket — for tennis
  17. charge — a price
  18. bay — a horse colour
  19. bound — tied together
  20. bay — to keep at bay
  21. charge — electricity
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. bound — obliged
  24. stand — to bear

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