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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: stand · temple · stock · key · track · bound · dip · rock

  1. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. That was ________________ to happen.
  14. The ________________ market has crashed.
  15. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  16. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  17. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  22. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  23. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  24. We are ________________ to obey laws.

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

Answer key

  1. stock — goods
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. dip — a sauce
  6. rock — a stone
  7. track — to keep track
  8. rock — music
  9. dip — to sink
  10. key — for a lock
  11. key — in music
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. bound — certain
  14. stock — shares
  15. track — a path
  16. track — a song
  17. bound — tied together
  18. stand — to bear
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. key — the most important part
  21. stock — a soup base
  22. stand — for spectators
  23. dip — to dunk
  24. bound — obliged

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