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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: saw · can · bulb · fine · stem · stand · board · suit

  1. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  2. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. He works in a ________________ mill.
  9. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  10. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  14. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  15. I can't ________________ this cold.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. She's very handy with a ________________.
  18. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  19. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — of a plant
  2. stem — a stem cell
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. suit — in cards
  5. board — a committee
  6. can — a tin
  7. suit — to fit
  8. saw — the tool
  9. saw — past of 'see'
  10. stand — for spectators
  11. bulb — for light
  12. bulb — for light
  13. board — a flat piece
  14. board — to get on
  15. stand — to bear
  16. can — a tin
  17. saw — the tool
  18. fine — high quality
  19. stem — to come from
  20. can — to be able to
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. fine — all right
  23. fine — a penalty
  24. suit — clothes

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