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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: stock · lie · wax · ruler · stem · nail · cabinet · deal

  1. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  2. The ________________ went through the wall.
  3. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  4. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  8. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  9. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  10. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  11. The ________________ market has crashed.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  16. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  19. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  22. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  23. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  24. What's the difference between broth and ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. deal — an agreement
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. wax — to grow
  4. lie — to recline
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. stem — a stem cell
  8. deal — a big deal
  9. nail — on a finger
  10. deal — to handle
  11. stock — shares
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. wax — in the ear
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. stem — of a plant
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. stock — goods
  19. stem — to come from
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. wax — for sculpting
  22. cabinet — a cupboard
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. stock — a soup base

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