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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: rock · bay · stand · wave · jam · stock · rest · arm

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  3. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  6. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  10. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  11. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  12. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  13. My father caught me by the ________________.
  14. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. The ________________ market has crashed.
  18. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  19. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  20. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  24. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. jam — a tight spot
  3. rest — what's left
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. arm — a part of something
  6. rest — what's left
  7. rock — a stone
  8. stand — to bear
  9. stock — goods
  10. arm — part of the body
  11. bay — to keep at bay
  12. rest — a break
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. stock — a soup base
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. stock — shares
  18. wave — of the sea
  19. bay — a part of the sea
  20. wave — with your hand
  21. rock — music
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. wave — a sudden rise
  24. jam — in traffic

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