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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: spell · mug · suit · trunk · stem · vault · perch · bowl

  1. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  2. Where did you ________________ them?
  3. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  4. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  5. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  8. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  9. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  10. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  11. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  14. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  15. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  16. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  17. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  21. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  22. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  23. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  24. How do you ________________ your surname?

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. mug — to rob
  3. bowl — a dish
  4. spell — magic
  5. mug — a face
  6. suit — clothes
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. trunk — of a car
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. vault — a safe
  11. perch — the fish
  12. suit — to fit
  13. spell — a short time
  14. bowl — a football final
  15. stem — of a plant
  16. trunk — of a tree
  17. stem — to come from
  18. suit — in cards
  19. mug — a cup
  20. vault — an arched ceiling
  21. trunk — of an elephant
  22. bowl — to roll
  23. vault — in gymnastics
  24. spell — letters

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