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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: leaves · arm · field · stand · bulb · fan · stem · temple

  1. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  2. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. My father caught me by the ________________.
  4. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  7. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  8. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  15. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  16. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  20. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  23. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. fan — a supporter
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. arm — part of the body
  4. arm — a part of something
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. stem — of a plant
  7. field — for sport
  8. field — farmland
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. stand — for spectators
  11. bulb — for light
  12. stem — a stem cell
  13. stand — to bear
  14. stem — to come from
  15. fan — to cool the air
  16. temple — side of the head
  17. bulb — for light
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. bulb — of a plant
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. field — a subject
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. temple — a place of worship

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