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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. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  2. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  3. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. The ________________ market has crashed.
  6. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  7. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  8. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  9. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  10. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  11. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  14. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  15. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  16. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  19. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  20. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — the fruit
  2. stem — a stem cell
  3. foot — part of the body
  4. can — a tin
  5. stock — shares
  6. lash — to lash out
  7. lash — a whip stroke
  8. stock — a soup base
  9. stock — goods
  10. stem — of a plant
  11. pitch — completely
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. pitch — a sales talk
  14. foot — the bottom
  15. foot — a measure
  16. stem — to come from
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. lash — an eyelash
  19. pitch — a sports field
  20. prune — to trim
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. can — to be able to
  23. can — a tin
  24. prune — to trim

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