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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. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  2. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  5. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  6. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  9. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  10. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  11. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  14. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — of a plant
  2. bore — to tire
  3. can — a tin
  4. wake — to stop sleeping
  5. wake — a trail
  6. stem — to come from
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. cue — a signal
  9. stem — a stem cell
  10. toast — the most admired
  11. cue — for pool
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. bore — gave birth
  14. wake — before a funeral
  15. can — to be able to
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. suit — to fit
  18. suit — in cards
  19. cabinet — a cupboard
  20. cue — a hint
  21. suit — clothes
  22. can — a tin
  23. bore — to drill
  24. toast — bread

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