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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  3. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  11. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  12. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  13. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  14. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  15. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  23. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. branch — of a tree
  3. bear — the animal
  4. cue — for pool
  5. pass — a permit
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. bulb — for light
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. bear — the animal
  11. bear — to put up with
  12. branch — of a bank
  13. mark — a trace
  14. cue — a hint
  15. stem — to come from
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. stem — a stem cell
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. bulb — for light
  22. branch — a division
  23. stem — of a plant
  24. cue — a signal

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