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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. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  4. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  5. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  12. My mare is ________________ in color.
  13. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  14. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  15. What do you think of the new ________________?
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. jam — to spread on bread
  4. face — part of the head
  5. foot — a measure
  6. can — to be able to
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. bay — to keep at bay
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. can — a tin
  11. lash — to lash out
  12. bay — a horse colour
  13. face — to point toward
  14. face — to confront
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. jam — a tight spot
  19. can — a tin
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. leaves — to go away

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