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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
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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: stem · suit · stand · bowl · bass · mouse · key · pitcher

  1. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  2. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  5. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  6. He is an ace ________________.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  9. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  10. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  11. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  12. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  16. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  17. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. key — the most important part
  4. bowl — a football final
  5. bass — low music
  6. pitcher — in baseball
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. stem — to come from
  9. bass — the instrument
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. stem — of a plant
  13. stand — to bear
  14. suit — to fit
  15. stand — for spectators
  16. bowl — a dish
  17. bowl — to roll
  18. key — for a lock
  19. key — in music
  20. stand — on your feet
  21. suit — clothes
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. suit — in cards
  24. bass — the fish

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