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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 · suit · net · arm · key · mate · mark · stock

  1. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  2. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. I can't ________________ this cold.
  5. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. This piece is in a major ________________.
  9. My father caught me by the ________________.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  12. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  13. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  14. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  18. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. Have you found your soul ________________?
  21. The ________________ market has crashed.
  22. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  23. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  24. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.

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

Answer key

  1. net — for catching
  2. arm — a part of something
  3. mark — a grade
  4. stand — to bear
  5. net — in sport
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. suit — clothes
  8. key — in music
  9. arm — part of the body
  10. suit — in cards
  11. net — after costs
  12. key — the most important part
  13. stock — goods
  14. mate — a friend
  15. mark — a trace
  16. suit — to fit
  17. stand — for spectators
  18. stand — on your feet
  19. key — for a lock
  20. mate — a partner
  21. stock — shares
  22. stock — a soup base
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. mate — to breed

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