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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. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. She's very handy with a ________________.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. That was ________________ to happen.
  8. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  19. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  20. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  21. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  22. He works in a ________________ mill.
  23. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  24. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. saw — the tool
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. bound — obliged
  6. stand — to bear
  7. bound — certain
  8. board — to get on
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. squash — the vegetable
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. stem — to come from
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. board — a committee
  18. saw — past of 'see'
  19. stem — of a plant
  20. squash — the sport
  21. bound — tied together
  22. saw — the tool
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. squash — to crush

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