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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 116 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: stand · fine · key · calf · rest · sharp · ruler · stem

  1. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  8. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  9. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  10. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. It's one o'clock ________________.
  15. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  16. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  19. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  22. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. fine — a penalty
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. stand — to bear
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. rest — a break
  8. stem — of a plant
  9. stem — to come from
  10. sharp — with an edge
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. fine — all right
  13. key — in music
  14. sharp — exactly
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. rest — what's left
  17. fine — high quality
  18. rest — what's left
  19. stem — a stem cell
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. sharp — clever
  22. calf — of the leg
  23. key — the most important part
  24. key — for a lock

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