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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: rule · toast · craft · charge · stock · ruler · rock · bound

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. The ________________ market has crashed.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  7. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  8. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  9. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  10. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  13. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  14. That was ________________ to happen.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. The tickets are free of ________________.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  23. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  24. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. bound — obliged
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. stock — shares
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. rule — a law
  7. toast — a drink to someone
  8. craft — boats
  9. bound — tied together
  10. rule — to rule out
  11. toast — bread
  12. rock — a stone
  13. rule — government
  14. bound — certain
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. charge — electricity
  17. rock — music
  18. charge — a price
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. stock — a soup base
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. stock — goods
  23. craft — a skill
  24. craft — a handicraft

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