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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: firm · rash · perch · suit · board · bulb · stock · pass

  1. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  2. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  3. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  7. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  8. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  12. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  13. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. The ________________ market has crashed.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  23. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  24. Don't do anything ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — on the skin
  2. stock — goods
  3. firm — a company
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. board — a committee
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. perch — for a bird
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. suit — to fit
  11. rash — a series
  12. stock — a soup base
  13. firm — steady
  14. suit — clothes
  15. board — to get on
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. bulb — for light
  18. suit — in cards
  19. bulb — for light
  20. stock — shares
  21. pass — a permit
  22. perch — the fish
  23. firm — decided
  24. rash — hasty

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