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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 120 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. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. The tickets are free of ________________.
  3. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  4. My father caught me by the ________________.
  5. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  8. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  9. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  10. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  16. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  17. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  20. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  23. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  24. My mare is ________________ in color.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. charge — a price
  3. calf — of the leg
  4. arm — part of the body
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. deal — to handle
  7. bay — a part of the sea
  8. scale — size or range
  9. deal — a big deal
  10. bay — to keep at bay
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. deal — an agreement
  13. charge — in control
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. arm — a part of something
  16. track — to keep track
  17. scale — in music
  18. charge — electricity
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. track — a song
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. track — a path
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. bay — a horse colour

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