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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 · temple · mug · fine · cabinet · calf · stand · bowl

  1. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. Where did you ________________ them?
  3. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  4. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  13. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  19. When was this ________________ built?
  20. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. The ________________ market has crashed.
  23. What do you think of the new ________________?
  24. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. mug — to rob
  3. stock — a soup base
  4. fine — high quality
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. stand — to bear
  7. fine — all right
  8. stock — goods
  9. mug — a cup
  10. stand — for spectators
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. bowl — a football final
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. bowl — to roll
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. cabinet — a cupboard
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. bowl — a dish
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. stock — shares
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. temple — side of the head

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