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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: stand · mug · face · rush · coach · mark · nail · stem

  1. The ________________ went through the wall.
  2. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  3. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  6. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  7. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  8. Have you met the new head ________________?
  9. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  10. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  11. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  12. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  13. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  18. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  19. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. face — to point toward
  3. mug — a face
  4. mug — a cup
  5. stem — to come from
  6. rush — to hurry
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. stem — of a plant
  10. face — part of the head
  11. mark — a trace
  12. stem — a stem cell
  13. nail — on a finger
  14. mug — to rob
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. rush — hurry
  17. stand — on your feet
  18. stand — for spectators
  19. coach — pulled by horses
  20. stand — to bear
  21. face — to confront
  22. mark — a grade
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. mark — to pay attention

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