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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: drill · bound · stock · toast · fine · patient · cabinet · ruler

  1. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  2. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  3. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  4. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  5. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  6. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  7. That was ________________ to happen.
  8. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  14. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  17. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  18. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  19. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  20. The ________________ market has crashed.
  21. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  24. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — high quality
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. stock — goods
  5. drill — a practice
  6. fine — a penalty
  7. bound — certain
  8. drill — the tool
  9. fine — all right
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. toast — a drink to someone
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. drill — army training
  17. bound — obliged
  18. toast — bread
  19. stock — a soup base
  20. stock — shares
  21. patient — calm and waiting
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. toast — the most admired
  24. bound — tied together

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