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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. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  2. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  6. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  7. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  8. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  11. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  12. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  13. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  16. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  17. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  18. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  19. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. The ________________ market has crashed.
  22. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  23. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  24. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — of a plant
  2. stem — to come from
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. vault — an arched ceiling
  6. stem — a stem cell
  7. stock — a soup base
  8. craft — a skill
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. vault — in gymnastics
  11. bear — the animal
  12. bear — the animal
  13. wax — for sculpting
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. stock — goods
  16. bear — to put up with
  17. wax — in the ear
  18. craft — a handicraft
  19. wax — to grow
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. stock — shares
  22. vault — a safe
  23. craft — boats
  24. lie — to recline

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