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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. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  3. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  4. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  8. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  9. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  10. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  13. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  14. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Have you found your soul ________________?
  20. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  21. We're on a ________________ here.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  24. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. mate — a friend
  3. chip — to eat
  4. chip — for betting
  5. suit — to fit
  6. suit — clothes
  7. stem — of a plant
  8. chip — in a computer
  9. roll — a cake
  10. calf — of the leg
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. patient — a sick person
  13. stem — to come from
  14. patient — calm and waiting
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. suit — in cards
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. mate — a partner
  20. roll — a list
  21. roll — on a roll
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. mate — to breed
  24. calf — a young animal

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