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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. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  7. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  10. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  15. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  16. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  20. My father caught me by the ________________.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  24. Many English words ________________ from Latin.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. current — happening now
  3. mark — a trace
  4. mug — to rob
  5. mug — a cup
  6. arm — a part of something
  7. fork — in a road
  8. pass — a permit
  9. arm — part of the body
  10. mine — for digging
  11. mug — a face
  12. fork — to eat with
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. current — electric
  15. mine — belonging to me
  16. mine — an explosive
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. current — of water
  19. fork — a garden tool
  20. arm — part of the body
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. stem — of a plant
  23. mark — a grade
  24. stem — to come from

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