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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: file · drill · toast · cue · ruler · firm · board · stock

  1. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  4. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  5. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  6. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  7. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  8. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  11. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. The ________________ market has crashed.
  14. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  15. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  16. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  17. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  20. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  21. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  22. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  23. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. file — a line of people
  4. stock — goods
  5. cue — a signal
  6. firm — decided
  7. toast — bread
  8. stock — a soup base
  9. cue — a hint
  10. board — a flat piece
  11. drill — a practice
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. stock — shares
  14. board — to get on
  15. firm — a company
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. file — a document
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. drill — the tool
  20. toast — the most admired
  21. drill — army training
  22. board — a committee
  23. file — a tool
  24. firm — steady

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