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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 116 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 owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  2. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  3. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  4. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. I can't ________________ this cold.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — for a bird
  2. pass — to succeed
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. stand — on your feet
  5. can — a tin
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. stand — to bear
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. perch — the fish
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. stand — for spectators
  12. can — a tin
  13. suit — clothes
  14. suit — to fit
  15. lie — to recline
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. stem — to come from
  18. can — to be able to
  19. stem — of a plant
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. pass — a permit
  23. suit — in cards
  24. stem — a stem cell

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