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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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  3. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  7. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. My mare is ________________ in color.
  10. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  16. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  23. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  24. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. bay — a part of the sea
  3. track — a song
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. current — happening now
  6. bay — to keep at bay
  7. current — electric
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. bay — a horse colour
  10. foot — the bottom
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. track — to keep track
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. foot — a measure
  16. scale — size or range
  17. lie — to recline
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. scale — in music
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. current — of water
  22. track — a path
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. scale — for weighing

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