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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. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  2. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  5. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  6. That was ________________ to happen.
  7. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  8. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  9. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  10. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  18. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  19. When was this ________________ built?
  20. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. We are ________________ to obey laws.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — a company
  2. bowl — a football final
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. chip — for betting
  5. firm — steady
  6. bound — certain
  7. fine — high quality
  8. foot — the bottom
  9. jam — in traffic
  10. foot — part of the body
  11. bound — tied together
  12. fine — all right
  13. chip — to eat
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. chip — in a computer
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. foot — a measure
  18. bowl — to roll
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. firm — decided
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. fine — a penalty
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. bound — obliged

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