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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.

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: bulb · racket · can · stem · firm · temple · leaves · file

  1. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  2. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  5. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  6. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  9. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  10. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  11. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  21. When was this ________________ built?
  22. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. firm — decided
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. racket — for tennis
  5. stem — of a plant
  6. file — a tool
  7. can — a tin
  8. racket — a loud noise
  9. stem — to come from
  10. file — a line of people
  11. firm — steady
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. can — to be able to
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. firm — a company
  17. bulb — for light
  18. can — a tin
  19. bulb — for light
  20. racket — for tennis
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. file — a document
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. temple — a place of worship

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