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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. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  3. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  4. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  5. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  17. I'll be taking the ________________.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  22. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  23. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  24. Have you found your soul ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. hand — part of the body
  3. tube — a container
  4. staff — employees
  5. staff — employees
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. lie — to recline
  8. mate — a friend
  9. can — a tin
  10. mate — to breed
  11. can — to be able to
  12. hand — help
  13. foot — a measure
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. can — a tin
  16. tube — in a tire
  17. tube — the underground
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. foot — the bottom
  20. rush — hurry
  21. hand — in cards
  22. staff — a stick
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. mate — a partner

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