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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 120 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. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  8. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  9. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  10. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  11. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. She's very handy with a ________________.
  20. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  23. He works in a ________________ mill.
  24. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. can — a tin
  4. can — a tin
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. stem — of a plant
  8. saw — past of 'see'
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. face — to point toward
  11. face — to confront
  12. can — to be able to
  13. kick — with a leg
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. bulb — for light
  17. kick — in football
  18. bulb — for light
  19. saw — the tool
  20. face — part of the head
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. stem — to come from
  23. saw — the tool
  24. kick — a thrill

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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