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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: ruler · pitcher · rock · leaves · stem · suit · squash · stand

  1. He is an ace ________________.
  2. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  8. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  9. I can't ________________ this cold.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  13. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  19. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — in baseball
  2. pitcher — a jug
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. stem — of a plant
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. stand — on your feet
  8. stem — a stem cell
  9. stand — to bear
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. rock — a stone
  12. squash — to crush
  13. squash — the sport
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. suit — in cards
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. squash — the vegetable
  19. pitcher — a jug
  20. rock — music
  21. stem — to come from
  22. suit — to fit
  23. suit — clothes
  24. stand — for spectators

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