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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 120 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: nail · mug · swing · rest · mark · calf · chip · stock

  1. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  2. David sat on the ________________.
  3. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  4. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  5. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  6. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  11. The ________________ went through the wall.
  12. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  13. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  16. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  17. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  18. The ________________ market has crashed.
  19. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. Where did you ________________ them?
  22. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  24. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — in golf
  2. swing — to play on
  3. rest — what's left
  4. chip — for betting
  5. mug — a face
  6. mark — a trace
  7. mug — a cup
  8. nail — on a finger
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. chip — to eat
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. rest — a break
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. chip — in a computer
  16. calf — of the leg
  17. stock — a soup base
  18. stock — shares
  19. swing — music
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. mug — to rob
  22. stock — goods
  23. mark — a grade
  24. rest — what's left

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