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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: rock · stock · safe · tube · chip · spell · staff · jam

  1. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  2. I'll be taking the ________________.
  3. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  4. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  5. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  6. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  10. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  11. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  12. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  17. How do you ________________ your surname?
  18. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  19. The ________________ market has crashed.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  23. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — in traffic
  2. tube — the underground
  3. spell — a short time
  4. jam — to spread on bread
  5. spell — magic
  6. tube — a container
  7. rock — a stone
  8. rock — music
  9. stock — a soup base
  10. staff — employees
  11. chip — in a computer
  12. tube — in a tire
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. chip — to eat
  16. staff — employees
  17. spell — letters
  18. staff — a stick
  19. stock — shares
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. stock — goods
  23. chip — for betting
  24. rock — to move gently

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