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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: bark · cue · rush · wake · toast · stick · roll · stem

  1. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  4. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  5. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  6. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  9. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  10. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  13. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  14. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  15. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  16. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  17. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  18. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  19. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  20. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  24. We're on a ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. wake — a trail
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. stem — a stem cell
  4. roll — a list
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. stem — of a plant
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. cue — a hint
  9. cue — a signal
  10. bark — to shout
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. wake — to stop sleeping
  13. bark — a dog's sound
  14. rush — hurry
  15. stem — to come from
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. bark — of a tree
  18. toast — bread
  19. cue — for pool
  20. roll — a cake
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. wake — before a funeral
  24. roll — on a roll

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