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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: present · stand · lash · mouse · rush · fine · can · stock

  1. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  2. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. The ________________ market has crashed.
  11. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  14. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  18. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  19. That must've been a ________________.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  22. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. present — there
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. lash — a whip stroke
  5. stand — to bear
  6. fine — high quality
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. can — a tin
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. stock — shares
  11. present — the time now
  12. can — a tin
  13. fine — a penalty
  14. present — a gift
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. can — to be able to
  17. stock — goods
  18. fine — all right
  19. rush — a thrill
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. stand — for spectators
  22. stock — a soup base
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. rush — hurry

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