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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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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: cap · suit · toast · calf · trunk · racket · stem · safe

  1. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  7. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  8. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  9. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  10. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  11. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  12. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  15. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  16. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  17. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  18. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  19. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. suit — to fit
  4. racket — for tennis
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. cap — a lid
  7. stem — to come from
  8. trunk — of a tree
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. toast — the most admired
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. calf — of the leg
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. cap — of ice
  15. racket — a loud noise
  16. cap — a hat
  17. stem — of a plant
  18. trunk — of a car
  19. trunk — of an elephant
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. toast — a drink to someone
  22. toast — bread
  23. suit — clothes
  24. suit — in cards

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