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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: calf · ball · charge · rock · stock · pit · staff · cap

  1. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  4. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  5. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  6. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. The King held a masked ________________.
  10. The ________________ market has crashed.
  11. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  12. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  13. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  18. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  19. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  22. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  23. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. staff — employees
  4. stock — goods
  5. charge — in control
  6. ball — a round shape
  7. rock — music
  8. rock — a stone
  9. ball — a dance
  10. stock — shares
  11. staff — employees
  12. cap — a lid
  13. pit — a hole
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. charge — electricity
  16. charge — a price
  17. cap — of ice
  18. staff — a stick
  19. pit — a fruit stone
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. stock — a soup base
  22. calf — of the leg
  23. cap — a hat
  24. ball — a great time

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