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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 120 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: field · mug · stick · mate · branch · current · safe · stem

  1. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  2. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  3. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  4. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  5. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  6. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  13. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  14. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  17. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. Have you found your soul ________________?
  22. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Biology is a ________________ of science.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. field — a subject
  3. mate — to breed
  4. stem — of a plant
  5. stem — to come from
  6. mate — a friend
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. stick — to attach or keep to
  9. current — electric
  10. mug — to rob
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. branch — of a bank
  13. field — for sport
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. mug — a cup
  16. branch — of a tree
  17. field — farmland
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. mug — a face
  20. current — of water
  21. mate — a partner
  22. current — happening now
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. branch — a division

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