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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
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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: bass · temple · key · stock · spell · cabinet · press · ruler

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  5. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  6. How do you ________________ your surname?
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  9. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  10. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  11. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. Did you ________________ the button?
  19. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. What do you think of the new ________________?
  22. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  23. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  24. The ________________ market has crashed.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. bass — the instrument
  3. press — newspapers
  4. stock — goods
  5. bass — low music
  6. spell — letters
  7. key — the most important part
  8. spell — magic
  9. spell — a short time
  10. bass — the fish
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. key — in music
  15. press — a publisher
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. press — to push
  19. cabinet — a cupboard
  20. key — for a lock
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. temple — side of the head
  23. stock — a soup base
  24. stock — shares

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