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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 soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  2. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  3. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  6. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  7. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  11. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. The ________________ market has crashed.
  19. That must've been a ________________.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  22. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  23. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  24. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.

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

Answer key

  1. drill — army training
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. present — there
  4. current — happening now
  5. toast — a drink to someone
  6. stock — goods
  7. drill — a practice
  8. current — electric
  9. current — of water
  10. drill — the tool
  11. mouse — for a computer
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. rush — hurry
  16. rush — to hurry
  17. toast — bread
  18. stock — shares
  19. rush — a thrill
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. present — the time now
  22. stock — a soup base
  23. present — a gift
  24. stick — to attach or keep to

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