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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.

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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: track · ground · ruler · can · pass · stock · spell · safe

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  5. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  13. The ________________ market has crashed.
  14. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  15. How do you ________________ your surname?
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. There's no middle ________________.
  23. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. ground — crushed
  3. can — to be able to
  4. track — a path
  5. ground — the earth
  6. pass — a permit
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. spell — a short time
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. track — a song
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. stock — goods
  13. stock — shares
  14. spell — magic
  15. spell — letters
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. track — to keep track
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. can — a tin
  22. ground — a position
  23. stock — a soup base
  24. can — a tin

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