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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: stock · mouse · mark · arm · rush · rock · press · can

  1. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  5. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  6. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  7. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. My father caught me by the ________________.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  14. The ________________ market has crashed.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. That must've been a ________________.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. press — newspapers
  3. mark — a trace
  4. arm — a part of something
  5. stock — goods
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. rock — a stone
  9. press — a publisher
  10. rush — hurry
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. stock — a soup base
  14. stock — shares
  15. can — a tin
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. can — a tin
  19. rush — a thrill
  20. rock — music
  21. rush — to hurry
  22. press — to push
  23. mouse — for a computer
  24. can — to be able to

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