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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. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. The light ________________ burned out.
  6. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  7. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  8. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  9. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  10. She laid her head on my ________________ so she could listen to my heartbeat.
  11. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  14. I felt an uncomfortable tightness in my ________________.
  15. The lid of the ________________ creaked open.
  16. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. That was ________________ to happen.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  23. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  24. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. toast — the most admired
  3. bound — tied together
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. bulb — for light
  6. toast — a drink to someone
  7. foot — the bottom
  8. staff — employees
  9. rest — what's left
  10. chest — of your body
  11. rest — what's left
  12. bulb — for light
  13. staff — employees
  14. chest — of your body
  15. chest — a box
  16. bound — obliged
  17. toast — bread
  18. staff — a stick
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. bound — certain
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. rest — a break
  23. foot — a measure
  24. bulb — of a plant

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