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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: calf · prune · toast · stem · can · stand · deal · mug

  1. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  2. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  5. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  6. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  10. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  11. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  12. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  21. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  24. He had ________________ pain while walking.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. stem — a stem cell
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. deal — to handle
  5. mug — a face
  6. toast — the most admired
  7. can — to be able to
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. stand — on your feet
  10. stem — of a plant
  11. stand — for spectators
  12. prune — to trim
  13. stand — to bear
  14. prune — the fruit
  15. mug — to rob
  16. toast — bread
  17. can — a tin
  18. can — a tin
  19. mug — a cup
  20. stem — to come from
  21. deal — a big deal
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. prune — to trim
  24. calf — of the leg

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