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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 116 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. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  6. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  7. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  8. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  9. The King held a masked ________________.
  10. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  11. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  12. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  15. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  16. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  17. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  23. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  24. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. fine — a penalty
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. can — to be able to
  5. leaves — lets stay
  6. firm — steady
  7. present — a gift
  8. stem — to come from
  9. ball — a dance
  10. firm — a company
  11. stem — of a plant
  12. ball — a great time
  13. fine — all right
  14. present — there
  15. firm — decided
  16. pit — in a race
  17. present — the time now
  18. can — a tin
  19. fine — high quality
  20. ball — a round shape
  21. can — a tin
  22. pit — a fruit stone
  23. pit — a hole
  24. leaves — to go away

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