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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: dip · mug · lie · bank · rash · pass · press · bound

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. Don't do anything ________________.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  6. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  7. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  10. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  14. That was ________________ to happen.
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. Did you ________________ the button?
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  23. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  24. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. dip — to sink
  3. rash — hasty
  4. pass — a permit
  5. bound — tied together
  6. dip — to dunk
  7. bank — for money
  8. mug — a face
  9. rash — a series
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. mug — to rob
  12. bound — obliged
  13. press — a publisher
  14. bound — certain
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. bank — for money
  18. lie — to recline
  19. press — to push
  20. bank — of a river
  21. mug — a cup
  22. rash — on the skin
  23. dip — a sauce
  24. press — newspapers

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