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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: firm · stand · cabinet · date · stem · suit · calf · rock

  1. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  2. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  11. Have you settled on a ________________?
  12. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  13. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  16. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  17. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  24. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. date — on the calendar
  2. stem — a stem cell
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. suit — clothes
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. rock — a stone
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. suit — to fit
  10. stem — to come from
  11. date — on the calendar
  12. firm — a company
  13. firm — decided
  14. suit — in cards
  15. calf — of the leg
  16. firm — steady
  17. date — the fruit
  18. rock — music
  19. cabinet — a cupboard
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. stand — on your feet
  22. stand — to bear
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. stem — of a plant

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