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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. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  2. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  5. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  8. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  9. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  10. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  11. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  14. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. We're on a ________________ here.
  18. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  19. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — of a plant
  2. firm — decided
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. firm — steady
  5. cue — for pool
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. firm — a company
  8. hand — part of the body
  9. stem — to come from
  10. rock — a stone
  11. hand — in cards
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. calf — of the leg
  14. cue — a hint
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. roll — on a roll
  18. stem — a stem cell
  19. hand — help
  20. rock — music
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. roll — a list
  23. cue — a signal
  24. roll — a cake

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