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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. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  2. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  3. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  4. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  5. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  8. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  9. My father caught me by the ________________.
  10. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  16. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  17. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  20. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  21. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  22. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  23. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  24. Many English words ________________ from Latin.

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

Answer key

  1. arm — a part of something
  2. board — to get on
  3. track — to keep track
  4. board — a committee
  5. stem — of a plant
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. stick — to attach or keep to
  8. track — a song
  9. arm — part of the body
  10. track — a path
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. stick — a piece of wood
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. stand — to bear
  15. chair — to sit on
  16. chair — a leader
  17. stem — a stem cell
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. chair — a professorship
  20. arm — part of the body
  21. stand — on your feet
  22. board — a flat piece
  23. fan — to cool the air
  24. stem — to come from

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