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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: mate · cue · present · rush · stand · jam · stock · bear

  1. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  2. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  3. That must've been a ________________.
  4. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  5. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  6. The ________________ market has crashed.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  9. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  10. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  11. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  12. I can't ________________ this cold.
  13. Have you found your soul ________________?
  14. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  15. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  20. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  21. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. A black ________________ roamed the forest.

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

Answer key

  1. present — the time now
  2. cue — for pool
  3. rush — a thrill
  4. stock — goods
  5. cue — a signal
  6. stock — shares
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. bear — to put up with
  9. jam — a tight spot
  10. bear — the animal
  11. mate — to breed
  12. stand — to bear
  13. mate — a partner
  14. stock — a soup base
  15. cue — a hint
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. present — there
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. mate — a friend
  20. present — a gift
  21. stand — for spectators
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. rush — hurry
  24. bear — the animal

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