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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. That was ________________ to happen.
  3. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  4. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  5. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  6. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  11. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. My mare is ________________ in color.
  14. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  15. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  16. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  17. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  18. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  19. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. The ________________ market has crashed.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. bound — certain
  3. trunk — of a tree
  4. trunk — of an elephant
  5. row — to paddle
  6. stock — goods
  7. bound — obliged
  8. bay — a part of the sea
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. mark — a grade
  11. firm — decided
  12. mug — a face
  13. bay — a horse colour
  14. mark — a trace
  15. row — a quarrel
  16. bound — tied together
  17. row — a line
  18. stock — a soup base
  19. firm — steady
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. mug — a cup
  22. stock — shares
  23. mug — to rob
  24. firm — a company

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