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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.

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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: can · mark · mouse · stock · root · cabinet · wake · firm

  1. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  2. What do you think of the new ________________?
  3. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  4. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  5. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  14. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. The ________________ market has crashed.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  20. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  21. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  22. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  23. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  24. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. wake — a trail
  4. root — of a plant
  5. root — of a word
  6. mark — a grade
  7. mark — a trace
  8. can — to be able to
  9. can — a tin
  10. mouse — for a computer
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. firm — steady
  14. stock — a soup base
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. can — a tin
  17. stock — shares
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. stock — goods
  20. wake — to stop sleeping
  21. firm — decided
  22. wake — before a funeral
  23. root — the cause
  24. firm — a company

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