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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. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  2. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  3. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  4. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  5. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  21. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  22. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  23. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  24. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. vault — an arched ceiling
  3. bore — to tire
  4. vault — in gymnastics
  5. bore — gave birth
  6. lie — to recline
  7. suit — clothes
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. current — of water
  11. current — electric
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. bay — to keep at bay
  14. current — happening now
  15. rest — what's left
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. stem — to come from
  18. suit — to fit
  19. suit — in cards
  20. stem — of a plant
  21. bore — to drill
  22. rest — a break
  23. rest — what's left
  24. vault — a safe

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