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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: dip · stock · pass · rock · spring · bay · cue · rush

  1. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  4. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  5. That must've been a ________________.
  6. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  7. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  8. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  9. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  10. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  18. The ________________ market has crashed.
  19. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  20. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. rock — a stone
  3. rock — music
  4. spring — of water
  5. rush — a thrill
  6. rush — to hurry
  7. stock — goods
  8. spring — a coil
  9. spring — the season
  10. bay — to keep at bay
  11. cue — a signal
  12. cue — a hint
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. bay — a part of the sea
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. stock — a soup base
  18. stock — shares
  19. dip — a sauce
  20. dip — to dunk
  21. rush — hurry
  22. pass — a permit
  23. cue — for pool
  24. pass — to succeed

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