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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: date · toast · calf · ruler · rush · stock · stand · firm

  1. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  2. That must've been a ________________.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  12. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  13. The ________________ market has crashed.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  16. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  22. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  23. Have you settled on a ________________?
  24. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.

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

Answer key

  1. stock — goods
  2. rush — a thrill
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. toast — the most admired
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. toast — a drink to someone
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. stock — a soup base
  12. rush — hurry
  13. stock — shares
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. date — on the calendar
  16. date — the fruit
  17. toast — bread
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. firm — steady
  20. stand — to bear
  21. stand — for spectators
  22. firm — a company
  23. date — on the calendar
  24. firm — decided

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