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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. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  4. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  5. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  6. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  7. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  10. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  11. My mare is ________________ in color.
  12. Don't do anything ________________.
  13. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  14. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  19. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — a tight spot
  2. rash — a series
  3. bank — for money
  4. stem — a stem cell
  5. hand — part of the body
  6. stem — to come from
  7. bay — to keep at bay
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. bank — for money
  10. mark — a grade
  11. bay — a horse colour
  12. rash — hasty
  13. bank — of a river
  14. rash — on the skin
  15. suit — to fit
  16. suit — in cards
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. hand — help
  19. hand — in cards
  20. mark — a trace
  21. stem — of a plant
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. suit — clothes
  24. bay — a part of the sea

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