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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: leaves · net · patient · stand · stock · jam · ruler · present

  1. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  2. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  7. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  8. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  14. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  19. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  20. The ________________ market has crashed.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  24. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.

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

Answer key

  1. present — the time now
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. present — there
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. present — a gift
  7. patient — a sick person
  8. stock — goods
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. net — in sport
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. net — for catching
  14. stock — a soup base
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. net — after costs
  19. stand — for spectators
  20. stock — shares
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. stand — on your feet
  23. stand — to bear
  24. patient — calm and waiting

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