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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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. How do you ________________ your surname?
  4. I'll be taking the ________________.
  5. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  11. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  12. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  15. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  16. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  17. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  18. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  21. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  22. That was ________________ to happen.
  23. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  24. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. spell — letters
  4. tube — the underground
  5. tube — in a tire
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. bound — obliged
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. scale — in music
  11. scale — size or range
  12. tube — a container
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. club — for golf
  15. club — a group
  16. spell — magic
  17. spell — a short time
  18. stem — to come from
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. club — for dancing
  21. stem — of a plant
  22. bound — certain
  23. bound — tied together
  24. scale — for weighing

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