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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: perch · stem · calf · suit · foot · scale · bulb · fan

  1. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  2. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  3. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  4. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  5. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  19. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  20. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — of a plant
  2. fan — to cool the air
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. scale — in music
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. suit — clothes
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. foot — the bottom
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. perch — the fish
  11. bulb — for light
  12. suit — in cards
  13. scale — size or range
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. scale — for weighing
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. stem — to come from
  19. stem — a stem cell
  20. bulb — of a plant
  21. bulb — for light
  22. foot — part of the body
  23. suit — to fit
  24. foot — a measure

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