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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 supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  6. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  7. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  8. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  9. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  15. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  16. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  17. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. When was this ________________ built?
  23. The ________________ market has crashed.
  24. That was ________________ to happen.

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

Answer key

  1. stock — goods
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. key — the most important part
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. stand — for spectators
  6. rest — what's left
  7. rest — a break
  8. track — a path
  9. stock — a soup base
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. bound — obliged
  12. key — for a lock
  13. key — in music
  14. track — to keep track
  15. rest — what's left
  16. temple — side of the head
  17. bound — tied together
  18. stand — to bear
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. track — a song
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. stock — shares
  24. bound — certain

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