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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 ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  2. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  3. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  6. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  12. We're on a ________________ here.
  13. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  14. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  21. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  22. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  23. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  24. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pound — a weight
  2. bowl — to roll
  3. stem — to come from
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. pound — for dogs
  6. wax — to grow
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. mug — a face
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. mug — to rob
  11. roll — a list
  12. roll — on a roll
  13. stem — a stem cell
  14. bowl — a dish
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. mug — a cup
  18. wax — in the ear
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. wax — for sculpting
  21. bowl — a football final
  22. roll — a cake
  23. pound — to hit hard
  24. stem — of a plant

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