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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: suit · board · current · toast · kick · stock · fine · deal

  1. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. The ________________ market has crashed.
  3. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  4. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  5. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  12. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  13. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  14. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  17. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. stock — shares
  3. stock — a soup base
  4. kick — a thrill
  5. kick — in football
  6. suit — in cards
  7. deal — to handle
  8. suit — to fit
  9. current — happening now
  10. current — electric
  11. kick — with a leg
  12. board — a committee
  13. stock — goods
  14. board — to get on
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. toast — the most admired
  17. toast — a drink to someone
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. toast — bread
  20. deal — a big deal
  21. fine — all right
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. current — of water
  24. fine — high quality

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