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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 116 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
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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: safe · face · sharp · bulb · stand · stem · trunk · kick

  1. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  4. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  5. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  13. It's one o'clock ________________.
  14. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  17. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  18. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  24. He's quite ________________, isn't he?

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

Answer key

  1. stem — to come from
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. face — to confront
  4. stem — of a plant
  5. stem — a stem cell
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. trunk — of a car
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. kick — with a leg
  10. bulb — for light
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. kick — a thrill
  13. sharp — exactly
  14. kick — in football
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. sharp — with an edge
  17. trunk — of an elephant
  18. face — part of the head
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. face — to point toward
  21. stand — to bear
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. bulb — for light
  24. sharp — clever

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