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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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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: roll · stem · can · patient · chip · coach · plane · leaves

  1. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  6. We're on a ________________ here.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  11. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  12. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  13. Have you met the new head ________________?
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  17. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  20. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  21. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  24. Many English words ________________ from Latin.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. roll — a cake
  4. can — a tin
  5. stem — of a plant
  6. roll — on a roll
  7. can — to be able to
  8. patient — a sick person
  9. plane — a tool
  10. leaves — to go away
  11. patient — a sick person
  12. roll — a list
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. can — a tin
  15. chip — to eat
  16. patient — calm and waiting
  17. plane — in geometry
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. stem — a stem cell
  20. leaves — lets stay
  21. chip — in a computer
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. chip — for betting
  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