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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 116 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: lash · stand · stock · scale · fine · vault · charge · mark

  1. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  2. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  5. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  6. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  7. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  8. The ________________ market has crashed.
  9. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  10. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  11. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  12. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  13. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  14. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  15. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  23. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  24. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — all right
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. mark — to pay attention
  5. stand — for spectators
  6. stock — a soup base
  7. lash — a whip stroke
  8. stock — shares
  9. charge — electricity
  10. scale — in music
  11. vault — an arched ceiling
  12. lash — an eyelash
  13. fine — high quality
  14. mark — a trace
  15. scale — size or range
  16. charge — a price
  17. charge — in control
  18. scale — for weighing
  19. mark — a grade
  20. stock — goods
  21. stand — to bear
  22. vault — a safe
  23. vault — in gymnastics
  24. lash — to lash out

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