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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. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  7. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  10. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  11. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  15. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  19. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  22. My father caught me by the ________________.
  23. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  24. My mare is ________________ in color.

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

Answer key

  1. net — in sport
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. stem — of a plant
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. bay — a part of the sea
  7. firm — decided
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. net — for catching
  10. bay — to keep at bay
  11. net — after costs
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. toast — bread
  14. firm — steady
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. stem — to come from
  19. stem — a stem cell
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. firm — a company
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. arm — a part of something
  24. bay — a horse colour

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