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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. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  5. That must've been a ________________.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  9. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. The King held a masked ________________.
  12. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  16. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  19. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  20. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  23. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. scale — size or range
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. bore — to drill
  5. rush — a thrill
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. stem — to come from
  9. ball — a great time
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. ball — a dance
  12. stem — of a plant
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. bore — to tire
  16. scale — for weighing
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. ball — a round shape
  19. rush — to hurry
  20. bore — gave birth
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. scale — in music
  23. jam — in traffic
  24. rush — hurry

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