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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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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: stock · stand · leaves · rule · can · bowl · jam · bank

  1. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  3. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  8. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  9. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. I can't ________________ this cold.
  13. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  14. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  15. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  16. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. The ________________ market has crashed.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. jam — to spread on bread
  3. rule — government
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. stock — goods
  6. can — to be able to
  7. bowl — a dish
  8. rule — to rule out
  9. jam — a tight spot
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. stand — to bear
  13. stock — a soup base
  14. stand — for spectators
  15. bank — for money
  16. bowl — to roll
  17. can — a tin
  18. bowl — a football final
  19. bank — for money
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. bank — of a river
  22. rule — a law
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. stock — shares

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