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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: can · stock · suit · deal · bank · race · rock · content

  1. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  5. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  6. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  9. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  10. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  14. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  15. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  16. The ________________ market has crashed.
  17. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  18. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  19. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. race — the arms race
  2. suit — clothes
  3. suit — to fit
  4. race — humankind
  5. stock — a soup base
  6. bank — for money
  7. can — a tin
  8. deal — to handle
  9. content — happy
  10. stock — goods
  11. suit — in cards
  12. can — a tin
  13. content — videos and posts
  14. bank — of a river
  15. race — a contest
  16. stock — shares
  17. content — the amount
  18. rock — a stone
  19. deal — an agreement
  20. bank — for money
  21. rock — music
  22. can — to be able to
  23. rock — to move gently
  24. deal — a big deal

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