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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. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  3. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  4. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  8. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  9. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  12. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  13. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. You don't need to ________________ round.
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  18. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  19. False peace will not ________________.
  20. My mare is ________________ in color.
  21. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  22. We're almost out of ________________.
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  24. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. foot — a measure
  3. bore — to tire
  4. mug — a face
  5. mark — a trace
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. current — electric
  8. pop — music
  9. last — final
  10. mug — to rob
  11. bay — to keep at bay
  12. bay — a part of the sea
  13. foot — the bottom
  14. mark — a grade
  15. pop — to visit
  16. mug — a cup
  17. last — finally
  18. bore — to drill
  19. last — to go on
  20. bay — a horse colour
  21. bore — gave birth
  22. pop — soda
  23. current — of water
  24. current — happening now

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