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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 120 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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. I can't ________________ this cold.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  13. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  14. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  17. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  18. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  21. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. The ________________ market has crashed.
  24. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. stock — goods
  3. can — to be able to
  4. stand — to bear
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. firm — decided
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. firm — steady
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. cue — a hint
  11. can — a tin
  12. firm — a company
  13. net — for catching
  14. net — in sport
  15. can — a tin
  16. net — after costs
  17. stock — a soup base
  18. wax — to grow
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. wax — in the ear
  21. wax — for sculpting
  22. cue — a signal
  23. stock — shares
  24. cue — for pool

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