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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. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. The ________________ market has crashed.
  5. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  6. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. My mare is ________________ in color.
  10. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  13. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  14. We're on a ________________ here.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  17. How do you ________________ your surname?
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  20. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  21. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  22. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  23. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  24. What's the difference between broth and ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. mug — a cup
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. stock — shares
  5. mug — a face
  6. roll — a list
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. stand — to bear
  9. bay — a horse colour
  10. deal — to handle
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. deal — an agreement
  13. spell — a short time
  14. roll — on a roll
  15. mug — to rob
  16. stock — goods
  17. spell — letters
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. spell — magic
  20. roll — a cake
  21. deal — a big deal
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. bay — a part of the sea
  24. stock — a soup base

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