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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 116 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: stem · mug · hide · bank · safe · lie · stand · cue

  1. I can't ________________ this cold.
  2. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  5. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  10. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  11. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  12. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  15. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  16. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  22. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  23. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — to bear
  2. mug — a face
  3. mug — to rob
  4. stem — of a plant
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. cue — a signal
  10. stem — a stem cell
  11. bank — of a river
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. cue — for pool
  16. lie — to recline
  17. mug — a cup
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. cue — a hint
  20. bank — for money
  21. stand — on your feet
  22. hide — animal skin
  23. stem — to come from
  24. bank — for money

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