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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: foot · firm · safe · toast · leaves · rest · stem · fine

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  3. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  4. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  8. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  15. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  16. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  17. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  18. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  19. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  20. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  24. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. toast — a drink to someone
  3. stem — of a plant
  4. stem — a stem cell
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. toast — bread
  7. foot — the bottom
  8. firm — steady
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. leaves — to go away
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. foot — part of the body
  15. rest — what's left
  16. stem — to come from
  17. foot — a measure
  18. firm — decided
  19. rest — a break
  20. fine — high quality
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. fine — all right
  23. rest — what's left
  24. firm — a company

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