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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 116 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: mug · mark · cell · staff · coach · leaves · stock · can

  1. He was locked up in a ________________.
  2. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  5. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. The ________________ market has crashed.
  10. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  15. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  16. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  17. Have you met the new head ________________?
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  24. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.

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

Answer key

  1. cell — in a prison
  2. mark — to pay attention
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. mark — a grade
  5. staff — a stick
  6. can — a tin
  7. cell — in biology
  8. mark — a trace
  9. stock — shares
  10. stock — a soup base
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. mug — to rob
  13. mug — a face
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. staff — employees
  16. staff — employees
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. can — a tin
  19. can — to be able to
  20. mug — a cup
  21. cell — a phone
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. leaves — of a tree
  24. stock — goods

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