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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 120 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: mouse · mark · stem · leaves · suit · staff · calf · plane

  1. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  10. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  11. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  12. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  13. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  17. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  18. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  19. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  20. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  24. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. suit — in cards
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. plane — a tool
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. mouse — for a computer
  10. stem — of a plant
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. stem — a stem cell
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. suit — to fit
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. staff — a stick
  17. mark — a trace
  18. stem — to come from
  19. staff — employees
  20. calf — of the leg
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. suit — clothes
  23. plane — in geometry
  24. staff — employees

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