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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. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  4. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  5. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  6. I'll be taking the ________________.
  7. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  12. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  13. We're on a ________________ here.
  14. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. The ________________ market has crashed.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  22. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  23. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  24. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. stem — a stem cell
  4. tube — in a tire
  5. tube — a container
  6. tube — the underground
  7. pitch — a sports field
  8. rock — music
  9. pitch — completely
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. roll — a cake
  12. pitch — a sales talk
  13. roll — on a roll
  14. stem — of a plant
  15. mug — to rob
  16. stock — a soup base
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. stock — shares
  20. mug — a face
  21. roll — a list
  22. stem — to come from
  23. mug — a cup
  24. stock — goods

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