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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: mug · stem · court · rush · leaves · craft · plane · safe

  1. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  2. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  14. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  15. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. The ball is in your ________________.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. craft — a handicraft
  2. craft — boats
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. plane — a tool
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. court — of law
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. court — of a king
  12. mug — a face
  13. rush — hurry
  14. craft — a skill
  15. stem — to come from
  16. mug — a cup
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. stem — a stem cell
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. stem — of a plant
  22. mug — to rob
  23. court — for sport
  24. safe — out of danger

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