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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: rush · stand · cabinet · mark · rest · wax · rash · stick

  1. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  4. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  5. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  8. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  11. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  12. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  13. Don't do anything ________________.
  14. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  22. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. What do you think of the new ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. rash — a series
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. wax — to grow
  5. rest — what's left
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. rash — on the skin
  8. stand — on your feet
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. stick — to attach or keep to
  11. rush — to hurry
  12. rest — what's left
  13. rash — hasty
  14. rush — hurry
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. wax — for sculpting
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. mark — a grade
  20. stand — to bear
  21. rest — a break
  22. wax — in the ear
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. cabinet — ministers

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