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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 · rush · stem · can · pass · toast · mark · deal

  1. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  11. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  12. I can't ________________ this cold.
  13. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  17. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — of a plant
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. pass — a permit
  4. can — a tin
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. stem — a stem cell
  8. can — to be able to
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. toast — bread
  11. stem — to come from
  12. stand — to bear
  13. mark — a trace
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. mark — a grade
  17. deal — to handle
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. can — a tin
  20. toast — a drink to someone
  21. rush — hurry
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. stand — on your feet

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