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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: track · stand · lean · wake · rock · stock · nail · scale

  1. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. The ________________ went through the wall.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  5. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  6. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  7. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  10. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  11. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  12. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  13. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  14. The ________________ market has crashed.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  18. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  19. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  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. scale — for weighing
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. scale — in music
  5. stand — for spectators
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. scale — size or range
  8. stand — to bear
  9. track — a path
  10. track — a song
  11. wake — to stop sleeping
  12. wake — a trail
  13. track — to keep track
  14. stock — shares
  15. rock — a stone
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. lean — to bend
  18. lean — thin
  19. stock — a soup base
  20. rock — music
  21. wake — before a funeral
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. lean — to rest against
  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