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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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  3. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  6. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  7. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  8. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  17. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  18. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. The ________________ market has crashed.
  22. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  23. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  24. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. club — a group
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. suit — in cards
  5. fine — all right
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. fork — to eat with
  8. club — for golf
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. fork — in a road
  11. suit — clothes
  12. fork — a garden tool
  13. suit — to fit
  14. rush — to hurry
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. stock — a soup base
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. fine — high quality
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. rush — hurry
  21. stock — shares
  22. fan — to cool the air
  23. club — for dancing
  24. stock — goods

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