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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. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  9. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  10. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  15. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  18. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. Have you found your soul ________________?
  21. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  24. Can you turn the ________________ on?

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. mug — a cup
  3. can — a tin
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. can — to be able to
  6. stand — to bear
  7. mug — to rob
  8. bank — for money
  9. mate — a friend
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. bank — for money
  13. can — a tin
  14. mate — to breed
  15. stem — to come from
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. stand — on your feet
  18. stand — for spectators
  19. mug — a face
  20. mate — a partner
  21. stem — of a plant
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. bank — of a river
  24. fan — to cool the air

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