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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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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. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  7. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  8. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  9. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  10. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  11. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. I can't ________________ this cold.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  20. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  23. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  24. The ________________ market has crashed.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. lash — a whip stroke
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. stock — goods
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. toast — a drink to someone
  7. spring — a coil
  8. stock — a soup base
  9. toast — bread
  10. scale — size or range
  11. scale — in music
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. stand — to bear
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. spring — the season
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. stand — for spectators
  20. spring — of water
  21. pass — a permit
  22. toast — the most admired
  23. stand — on your feet
  24. stock — shares

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