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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. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  3. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  4. Its rival in the ________________ War, the Soviet Union, exploited this at the time.
  5. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  6. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  7. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. I had a bad ________________ and was in bed for a week.
  12. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  13. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  18. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  21. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  22. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  23. The water is too ________________.
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. bowl — a football final
  3. calf — of the leg
  4. cold — the Cold War
  5. fine — high quality
  6. object — an aim
  7. stem — of a plant
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. fine — all right
  11. cold — an illness
  12. bowl — to roll
  13. object — a thing
  14. mug — to rob
  15. stem — to come from
  16. mug — a face
  17. track — a song
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. mug — a cup
  20. track — to keep track
  21. bowl — a dish
  22. track — a path
  23. cold — not warm
  24. object — to protest

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