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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: stick · bound · march · toast · ruler · stock · charge · board

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. That was ________________ to happen.
  7. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  10. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  14. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. The ________________ market has crashed.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  19. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  20. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  21. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  22. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  23. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. bound — obliged
  5. board — to get on
  6. bound — certain
  7. stock — goods
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. charge — in control
  10. march — the month
  11. charge — a price
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. charge — electricity
  14. march — music
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. stock — shares
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. bound — tied together
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. stock — a soup base
  21. march — the month
  22. board — a committee
  23. toast — the most admired
  24. toast — bread

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