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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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  5. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  6. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  7. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  8. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  9. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  12. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. The ________________ market has crashed.
  17. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  18. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  19. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  22. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  23. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  24. Should I buy a wireless ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. stem — a stem cell
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. wax — for sculpting
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. stem — to come from
  7. hand — help
  8. stand — on your feet
  9. hand — part of the body
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. stem — of a plant
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. stand — to bear
  14. hand — in cards
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. stock — shares
  17. stock — a soup base
  18. wax — to grow
  19. stock — goods
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. wax — in the ear
  23. calf — of the leg
  24. mouse — for a computer

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