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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: toast · leaves · jam · rush · stand · trunk · deal · stem

  1. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  5. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  10. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  11. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  12. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  15. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  16. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  19. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  20. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  21. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. The elephant has a huge ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — to spread on bread
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. toast — the most admired
  5. toast — a drink to someone
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. trunk — of a tree
  10. stem — of a plant
  11. stand — for spectators
  12. jam — a tight spot
  13. toast — bread
  14. stand — on your feet
  15. trunk — of a car
  16. rush — to hurry
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. jam — in traffic
  19. stem — to come from
  20. stem — a stem cell
  21. deal — to handle
  22. stand — to bear
  23. rush — hurry
  24. trunk — of an elephant

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