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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 116 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: stand · wake · drill · can · ball · deal · fork · staff

  1. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  2. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  7. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. I can't ________________ this cold.
  10. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  11. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  12. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  13. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  14. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  15. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  16. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  17. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  18. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  21. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  22. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  23. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  24. The King held a masked ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wake — a trail
  2. drill — a practice
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. deal — a big deal
  5. can — a tin
  6. fork — in a road
  7. drill — army training
  8. can — a tin
  9. stand — to bear
  10. deal — to handle
  11. stand — for spectators
  12. staff — employees
  13. fork — a garden tool
  14. drill — the tool
  15. fork — to eat with
  16. wake — to stop sleeping
  17. deal — an agreement
  18. wake — before a funeral
  19. can — to be able to
  20. stand — on your feet
  21. ball — a great time
  22. staff — employees
  23. staff — a stick
  24. ball — a dance

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