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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.

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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: plane · stem · mate · stand · cabinet · mark · wave · snap

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. Have you found your soul ________________?
  6. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  9. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  10. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. The ________________ took off on time.
  13. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  14. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  17. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  18. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  19. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  20. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  21. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. mark — a grade
  3. mark — a trace
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. mate — a partner
  6. snap — to speak sharply
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. stem — a stem cell
  9. stand — on your feet
  10. wave — a sudden rise
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. plane — an aircraft
  13. stem — to come from
  14. stem — of a plant
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. snap — to click
  17. mate — to breed
  18. mate — a friend
  19. wave — of the sea
  20. wave — with your hand
  21. stand — for spectators
  22. stand — to bear
  23. plane — a tool
  24. snap — to snap out of it

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