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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.

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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. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  2. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  3. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  4. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  5. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  8. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  9. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. The ________________ market has crashed.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. That must've been a ________________.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  22. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  23. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  24. This piece is in a major ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. drill — a practice
  2. stock — goods
  3. mug — a face
  4. firm — decided
  5. chip — for betting
  6. can — a tin
  7. chip — in a computer
  8. firm — a company
  9. drill — army training
  10. rush — hurry
  11. can — a tin
  12. key — for a lock
  13. mug — a cup
  14. key — the most important part
  15. chip — to eat
  16. stock — shares
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. mug — to rob
  19. rush — a thrill
  20. can — to be able to
  21. stock — a soup base
  22. drill — the tool
  23. firm — steady
  24. key — in music

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