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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: deal · fine · pass · temple · rock · trunk · stock · mouse

  1. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  2. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. The ________________ market has crashed.
  7. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  8. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  11. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  15. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  20. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  21. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — side of the head
  2. stock — goods
  3. rock — a stone
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. stock — shares
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. stock — a soup base
  9. rock — music
  10. deal — to handle
  11. trunk — of an elephant
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. fine — a penalty
  15. trunk — of a car
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. fine — high quality
  18. pass — a permit
  19. deal — an agreement
  20. pass — to spend time
  21. trunk — of a tree
  22. fine — all right
  23. rock — to move gently
  24. deal — a big deal

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