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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 120 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
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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: object · can · plane · bore · stock · current · fan · bay

  1. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  4. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  5. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  6. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  7. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  8. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. The ________________ took off on time.
  13. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  14. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  19. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  20. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  23. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  24. The ________________ market has crashed.

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

Answer key

  1. stock — goods
  2. can — to be able to
  3. object — a thing
  4. bore — to tire
  5. bore — to drill
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. object — an aim
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. bore — gave birth
  11. can — a tin
  12. plane — an aircraft
  13. stock — a soup base
  14. current — electric
  15. current — of water
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. current — happening now
  18. fan — to cool the air
  19. plane — a tool
  20. bay — to keep at bay
  21. can — a tin
  22. plane — in geometry
  23. object — to protest
  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