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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. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. The ________________ went through the wall.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. The tickets are free of ________________.
  19. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  20. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  21. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  22. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  23. What do you think of the new ________________?
  24. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. can — to be able to
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. foot — part of the body
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. can — a tin
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. track — to keep track
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. can — a tin
  15. pass — a permit
  16. nail — on a finger
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. charge — a price
  19. charge — electricity
  20. track — a song
  21. charge — in control
  22. foot — a measure
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. track — a path

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