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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: suit · row · bay · stem · tube · mark · foot · saw

  1. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. He works in a ________________ mill.
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  7. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  8. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  9. My mare is ________________ in color.
  10. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  13. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  14. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. She's very handy with a ________________.
  17. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  18. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  19. I'll be taking the ________________.
  20. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  21. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  22. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  23. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  24. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — a measure
  2. row — to paddle
  3. suit — clothes
  4. saw — the tool
  5. mark — a trace
  6. tube — a container
  7. stem — of a plant
  8. saw — past of 'see'
  9. bay — a horse colour
  10. row — a quarrel
  11. suit — to fit
  12. tube — in a tire
  13. mark — a grade
  14. stem — to come from
  15. suit — in cards
  16. saw — the tool
  17. bay — to keep at bay
  18. foot — the bottom
  19. tube — the underground
  20. row — a line
  21. foot — part of the body
  22. stem — a stem cell
  23. bay — a part of the sea
  24. mark — to pay attention

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