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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: cue · stand · sharp · fan · rock · stem · pitcher · bowl

  1. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  2. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. It's one o'clock ________________.
  5. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  6. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  7. I can't ________________ this cold.
  8. He is an ace ________________.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  13. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  17. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  18. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  22. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  23. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  24. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — with an edge
  2. fan — to cool the air
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. sharp — exactly
  5. pitcher — a jug
  6. stem — to come from
  7. stand — to bear
  8. pitcher — in baseball
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. rock — music
  12. bowl — to roll
  13. cue — for pool
  14. cue — a signal
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. bowl — a dish
  17. sharp — clever
  18. rock — a stone
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. cue — a hint
  21. stem — a stem cell
  22. stem — of a plant
  23. bowl — a football final
  24. fan — a supporter

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