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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. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  3. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  4. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  5. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  8. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  12. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  16. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  17. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  24. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. kick — in football
  3. stand — for spectators
  4. bass — the instrument
  5. bass — the fish
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. stem — of a plant
  8. foot — a measure
  9. fine — high quality
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. bass — low music
  12. stem — to come from
  13. fine — all right
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. wake — a trail
  16. wake — before a funeral
  17. kick — a thrill
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. foot — part of the body
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. wake — to stop sleeping
  22. stand — to bear
  23. kick — with a leg
  24. foot — the bottom

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